Thursday of the First Week of Advent
The Light of Faithfulness
“When we walk without the cross, when we build without the cross and when we proclaim Christ without the cross, we are not disciples of the Lord. We are worldly. We may be bishops, priests, cardinals, popes, all of this, but we are not disciples of the Lord.” -Pope Francis
Scripture:
Isaiah 26:1-6
Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Reflection:
Bob Rizzi is a longtime parishioner at St. Joseph Monastery Parish in Baltimore, Maryland, and a member of the Passionist Family.
Through Faith
Poet: E. Margaret Clarkson
Through faith we understand
The things we cannot know –
The hidden pattern God has planned
And why each thread is so.
We trace life’s vast design
And lose His golden strand;
But when our wills with His entwine,
Through faith we understand.
Through faith we understand
What to our sight is dim,
And still Love’s sweet, all-knowing hand
Leads those who trust in Him.
Ours not to know the way
But bow to His command;
And when our childlike hearts obey,
Through faith we understand.
Call to Action:
Buy Ethical Trade Christmas gifts at Catholic Relief Service. Ethical Trade means people will get a fair price for their labor and materials and no forced labor. https://ethicaltrade.crs.org/