CLIMBING ADVENT MOUNTAIN

"Come, let us climb the Lord's mountain." -Isaiah 2:3

Advent is a time for mountain-climbing. It is climbing with all nations (Is 2:2) the highest mountain so that the Lord "may instruct us in His ways, and we may walk in His paths" (Is 2:3). Advent is being like Moses. We climb Mt. Sinai, receive the Ten Commandments, descend radiant with God's glory, and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus (see Ex 19:2ff). As more and more people climb God's holy mountain this Advent to hear and share His word, "the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea" (Is 11:9). Then "they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again" (Is 2:4). 
This Advent, climb the Lord's mountain. Receive and proclaim the Word of God. Give the world the true peace of Christmas. This Advent, be a peacemaker (Mt 5:9), minister of God's Word, and mountain-climber. From the heights of the mountain, shout: "Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth" (Lk 2:14, our transl).


Prayer: Father, make me a guide for spiritual mountain-climbers before, during, and after the climb.

Promise: "I am not worthy to have You under my roof. Just give an order and my boy will get better." -Mt 8:8

Praise: Broken by ill health and bankruptcy, Arlene holds to God as the Center of her being.

THE EUCHARIST, FOOD OF WISDOM

"He manifests Himself to those who do not disbelieve Him." -Wisdom 1:2

As I read the above passage, I felt goose bumps form on my body. Today Almighty God manifested Himself to me in His eucharistic presence (see Wis 1:2). I rejoiced to receive Him in Holy Communion at Mass. Jesus, Wisdom Incarnate (1 Cor 1:30), bounded out of heaven (Wis 18:15; Jn 6:33) to fill me with the Food of Wisdom. 
People spend years obtaining knowledge through education and training. Yet we Catholics have been given the Bread of Wisdom, and can receive this Bread daily! Oh, that we would "seek Him" (Wis 1:1) with more fervor than the worldly seek knowledge! 
We live in an age of information and knowledge. Yet do we live in an age of wisdom? As St. Paul observed, " 'knowledge' inflates," and can lead us to pride, but "love upbuilds" (1 Cor 8:1). Wisdom without love is nothing; real wisdom must lead to love (1 Cor 13:2). 

Jesus, "the Bread of Life" (Jn 6:35), is "Wisdom" (1 Cor 1:30). Attend Mass daily, or as often as possible. Receive the eucharistic Jesus, Wisdom Incarnate, and "get wisdom!" (Prv 4:5)


Prayer: Lord, "increase our faith" (Lk 17:5).

Promise: "The Holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit and withdraws from senseless counsels." -Wis 1:5

Praise: Through reception of daily Eucharist, Maureen saw a change for the good in her tolerance and patience.