[Salvation]

Wednesday, December 13
Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

Laying Down Our Burdens

Advent is supposed to be a time of spiritual preparation, but for many of us it has become a time of frantic activity. Too often we feel that in honor of the season we must host the perfect Christmas part, find perfect gifts for family and friends, put on elaborate decorations and send a card or note to everyone we have or haven’t seen in the last year. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that his yoke is easy and his burden light, but here we are halfway through the Advent season – halfway to Christmas – and we feel our yoke getting harder to carry and our burden heavier. It is obvious that we are not carrying Jesus’ yoke, but a yoke that has been placed on our shoulders by our own perfectionism or by the expectations of others. Will the world come to an end if we don’t fulfill all those unreasonable expectations? Does Jesus want us to arrive at Christmas Eve totally exhausted and unable to stay awake through midnight Mass? Let us sit down quickly and make a list of all the things we think we have to do before Christmas and then ask ourselves which ones are really God’s will for us and which ones can be eliminated. Let us lay down our burdens and find rest. The virgin martyr Saint Lucy knew how to put first things first. She gave her life to Christ. Let us ask her intercession as we prepare for Christmas.

Reflection based on Matthew 11:28-30
Dale O’Leary

Loving Father, free me from the false priorities and distractions that alienate me from you.

[Salvation]

	Week 2: Thursday From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it be force. (Matthew 11:12) Reflection Our world will never be bliss. We can say with Matthew, that from the days of John the Baptist until now, that God’s kingdom suffers violence. That is why we celebrate Advent over and over. We reassert that the violence we suffer in this world is not the norm, but only a temporary condition. That mystery of our faith is proclaimed each time we celebrate the Eucharist: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. We are grounded in this present world, but look to the world to come. Advent Action Renew your commitment to a special time of Advent prayer each day throughout the season. Say a prayer sometime today for the Americas. Contemplate on the miracle of the Cloak Of Juan Diego.    Prayer Lord, may I refrain from all violent words and deeds, and help make my part of this world a more peaceful place.