Sacred Space – Readings for Monday, November 29 through Saturday, December 4.

Sorry, we ran out of books this Sunday! We’ve ordered more but until they get here we will post the readings for each day here. So even if you don’t have a book, you can find them online.

Please remember that all of this material is © 2010 by the Irish Province of the Society of Jesus (so no one can sue me!).

Each day roughly follows this format: The Presence of God, Freedom, Consciousness, The Word, Conversation, Conclusion. Walk through these in order each day and use the Thoughts and Reflections below during “The Word” segment each day.

For each day during the First Week of Advent (November 28 – December 4)

The Presence of God
Lord, help me to be fully alive to your holy presence. Enfold me in your love. Let my heart become one with yours.

Freedom
Many countries are at this moment suffering the agonies of war. I bow my head in thanksgiving for my freedom. I pray for all prisoners and captives.

Consciousness
At this moment, Lord, I turn my thoughts to You. I will leave aside my chores and preoccupations. I will take rest and refreshment in your presence Lord.

The Word
Please see the daily Thoughts and Reflections for each day below.

Conversation
Sometimes I wonder what I might say if I were to meet You in person, Lord. I might say, “Thank You, Lord” for always being there for me. I know with certainty there were times when you carried me. When through your strength I got through dark times in my life.

Conclusion
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

 

Monday 29 November (read Matthew 8:5-11)
Thoughts and Questions for Reflection.

• Along with the calm authority of the Centurion, there is an extraordinary feeling for his sick servant which leads him to forget his standing as an officer of the occupying power and respectfully be a favor. More than that, he respects the possible reluctance of a Jew to enter a Gentile’s house, and bows to the greater authority he senses in Jesus.
• Are there any in my life, Lord for whom I would go to such lengths? Yet I am one of those you welcome, who come from east and west to eat with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. May I be worthy of that calling.

 

Tuesday 30 November (read Luke 10:212-24)
Thoughts and Questions for Reflection

• What have I learned in prayer? What is it that is hidden from the wise and the prudent that I have learnt in the heart of prayer? Can I think over the mystery of prayer in my life and wonder what it has done for me?
• How has prayer made me who I am? What have I “seen” and “heard” in prayer that I desired? Can I give thanks for all this?

 

Wednesday 1 December (read Matthew 15:29-37)
Thoughts and Questions for Reflection

• Things happen around Jesus. People got better, physically and spiritually. In this scene they are healed, fed, and taught.
• Things happen when we pray, when we journey to a new destination in ourselves, to the part of ourselves where we sing and dance, weep and laugh, cry and reach out to others.
• Prayer is an adventure. My time in prayer each day is a venture into the uncharted land of love of self, others, and God.

 

Thursday 2 December (read Matthew 7:21,24-27)
Thoughts and Questions for Reflection

• You see charismatic preachers who can rouse a congregation to wave their arms, pray with tongues, and chant in ecstasy. That is a blessing, a gift of God that lifts us out of ourselves. But if our lives do not reflect the Gospel, if we do not hear Jesus’ words and act on them, it is empty and false.

 

Friday 3 December (read Matthew 9:27-31)
Thoughts and Questions for Reflection

• How could these men, who were blind, follow Jesus if they could not see?
• How did they know what to ask for?
• Their faith in him opened their hearts to appeal to him. Their faith opened them to the power in Jesus and they were healed. They knew their need – of God and of others – and did not hide their need and were healed.

 

Saturday 4 December (read Matthew 9:35-10:1, 6-8)
Thoughts and Questions for Reflection

• This seems to be a really outgoing gospel: we are to look at the big harvest, the sick, the dead, the outcasts; all the needs of people are part of prayer. It is in care and compassion that the kingdom of heaven comes near.
• Prayer is one door into the kingdom of heaven, with a door outwards to the world of great need. Advent is a time to notice and to respond to the needs of people in our immediate circle as well in the wider world.