MSFriend, Author at Shepherd of Faith

CREATION

The countdown to Jesus BEGINS in Genesis 1:1-31

I often meditate on Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. What I think is: besides coming to save us, He came to show us how it’s done. He was the shining example of humility, obedience, suffering, trust, perseverance and victory.

Did you catch that?!

Today’s Scripture verse for the Jesse Tree is Genesis 1:1-31 . What struck me was verse 26: God said “let US make human beings in OUR image.” Did you catch that? A reference to the Trinity. The first reference to a plurality of persons in one God.

From the very beginning, God too was showing us how it’s done. I was overwhelmed by the way God so methodically and meticulously created the world. Sad to say I don’t think I ever contemplated that before. How He considered every detail. How He prepared for and waited to create us and how intensely He loved us. Consider the generosity God exhibited in creating us in His image and likeness. Blows my mind!

How quickly and easily God could have created the world yet He chose to wait and prepare. He set this example for a reason. Can we follow his lead and wait well this Advent. Can we prepare our hearts to receive Him and never lose Him? After Advent, will we continue to wait and prepare for everything as if the world depended on it? That’s the challenge! It’s what God desires of us. Why else would he have modeled it for us! God bless you.

Come Lord Jesus

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus! And just like that, a new liturgical year is upon us and we enter into the first week of Advent, a season of waiting. Oh how Mother Church finds the perfect way to turn something uncomfortable, like waiting, into something so beautiful and transforming.

Tradition

My favorite tradition for this season, as most of you already know, is the Jesse tree. I’ve talked about it on my newly released podcast and I’ve written about it in the past (see here). It’s the perfect way to slow down, pray with Scripture and truly build up the anticipation as we await the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day.

This year the only book I’m reading for Advent is the Bible. I’ve decided to simply focus on praying with the Scripture verses on my Jesse tree ornaments. And since I haven’t been consistent with my blog entries since Lent, I’m going to attempt to post reflections each day of Advent to correspond with the Jesse tree Scripture verses. God help me!

Invitation

As I reflect on the past year, I’m reminded of a moment in Rome when my devotion to the Blessed Mother grew deeper as I relied on her intercession to get me through a brief moment of anxiety. She did not disappoint. I’ll elaborate on that another day – maybe December 8 on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

My resolution this year was to go deeper. Deeper in prayer, deeper in love and relationship with the Trinity and deeper in devotion to the Blessed Mother and looking back, I believe I’ve succeeded. I can’t say that I had my resolution on my mind at all times throughout the year but what I can say is that I set my intention. I wrote it down (yes, on a vision board – not hoping to “manifest” it but relying on God’s help and will for everything I put there) and put it in a prominent place where I would see it every once in a while. God really provided the space, time and opportunities for me to succeed.

I invite you to do the same with your spiritual aspirations this Advent. If you want to grow deeper in love and relationship with God, let Him know. Write it down. Be specific. Pray that His will be done in that regard and do not discount the Blessed Mother’s desire and ability to intercede for you. Then sit back and enjoy the ride. Every so often reflect on what you wrote down. How exciting it is to look back and see how wonderfully and perfectly God works in our lives with the help of Mary, our spiritual mama.

Not only am I’m looking forward to waiting well this Advent – I’m also looking forward to setting my resolution and seeing how God works in my life this coming year. I hope you’re looking forward to it too! God bless you!