First Thursday of Advent – Feast of St Francis Xavier
– You can ponder on the picture. For a method of praying with pictures click button below.
– You can pray on the words of Scripture. For methods of praying with scripture click button below.
– You can follow the suggestions in the daily ‘Reflection’.
– You can listen to the music
Today’s Scripture
Matthew 7: 21, 24-27 (WEB)
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.
Reflection
Use your imagination to feel the sudden, violent force of a winter storm – the driving rain, rising floods, and howling winds beating against your life. Jesus invites you to look at the foundations of your heart, moving past a faith of mere words (“Lord, Lord”) into real, concrete choices. Where are you building on shifting sand, and what do you need to do today to anchor yourself to the living Rock?
Grace to Ask For: An integrated, honest faith that acts on God’s word rather than just speaking it.
Examen: When the minor pressures or “winds” of today hit me, what did they reveal about where my security truly lies?
Today’s Music
Don’t build your house on a Sandy Land – Psalty (songs for kids)