A Shoot Shall Sprout

A Shoot Shall Sprout

December 4, 2012

Tuesday of the First Week of Advent

By Beth DeCristofaro

On that day, A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud hall blossom.  The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him: a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, A Spirit of counsel and of strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.  (Isaiah 11:1-2)

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.  (Luke 10:21)

Piety

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonderful deeds. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may he fill all the earth with his glory. Amen and amen.  (Psalm 72:18-19)

Study

The Knights of Columbus magazine Columbia has a lovely cover this month.  It is a painting called “Mother of Life” which depicts a pregnant Our Lady of Guadalupe with a shining abdomen.  The Christ Child within her is a radiance of holiness.  The gentle expectancy of the Holy Mother is stirring and promising on both a human and sacred level.

The Advent season can offer us time to become ever more aware and open to such glowing potentiality.  Isaiah speaks of the assurance of deliverance from a tiny shoot.  Luke records Jesus giving his followers direction on hearing and heeding God’s very words.  What wonder if we were to see God’s possibility in everything around us:  the chance meeting on a street; the failed project which teaches us something unexpected; the umpteenth question by a persistent yet excited child; a less-than-gracious apology from someone who wronged us.  What other opportunities come to mind?

In each person God’s light shines.  Can we see it?

Action

Exploit Advent as a time of expectancy for yourself, growing every more close to God just as Mary became more and more aware of her baby growing within her.  As your relationship with God deepens, with whom can you share God’s life-giving love? 

Remember the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12.