Contents
READING OF THE DAY
A reading from the Book of the prophet Isaiah
Is 26:1-6
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:
“A strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you.”
Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those in high places,
and the lofty city he brings down;
He tumbles it to the ground,
levels it with the dust.
It is trampled underfoot by the needy,
by the footsteps of the poor.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Matthew
Mt 7:21, 24-27
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
Thursday of the First Week of Advent
(Mt 7:21.24-27)
GOD’S WORD FOR US
Dear people of God,
The Word of God today says to all mankind: The Son of God, living and real, came to earth to be a Man with man, to accompany mankind, and to give man the very Word of God the Father in order to teach humanity.
When a person is born into this world, the Word of God is always engraved in the heart of man. Everyone is endowed by God with a loving heart, a clean, upright, and righteous conscience. That conscience is the Word of God engraved in the depths of each person’s heart.
Today, God wants all mankind to listen to and put into practice the Word of God. Those who are wise and selfless, who live a true and holy life, and who practice according to God’s instructions will always be protected, preserved, and loved by God. God always accompanies and is with people. So, every human being is protected and preserved by God. He never abandons any soul from His loving embrace.
God reveals to people that: Those who walk in the dark path of sin are rejecting God, excluding the Word of God from their lives. God invites those who are living in that state of sin to get up, and run to the light of God, so that the Word of God may be a lamp for their steps, and a light for their path. God will guide and help that person practice according to God’s command, and He will save them from Satan’s captivity. And if anyone only listens to the Word of God and does not put it into practice, that person will easily fall into the hands of Satan.
Today, God calls all mankind:
– Everyone must listen and practice the Word of God in order to be saved and to have eternal life when God calls them out of this world.
– People should not fall into the traps of Satan or walk in the dark path of sin. Stand up; resolve to return to God and practice the Word of God, so that Satan does not snatch that person’s soul from the loving embrace of God.
– Only by listening to and practicing the Word of God can people stand firm in love, and stand firm in the eternal life that God will give to every human soul when He calls out of this world.
Thanks Be to God. Amen.
