Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 14, 2024

Date: Saturday of the 2nd Week of Advent/Memorial of St. John of the Cross

Scripture Text: Psalm 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19

R. (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hearken,

From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.

Rouse your power.

R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Once again, O LORD of hosts,

look down from heaven, and see;

Take care of this vine,

and protect what your right hand has planted

the son of man whom you yourself made strong.

R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

May your help be with the man of your right hand,

with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.

Then we will no more withdraw from you;

give us new life, and we will call upon your name.

R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The responsorial psalm for today, portions of Psalm 80, are so fitting for Advent. In the psalm, we call upon LORD as “shepherd of Israel” to rouse His power, look down from heaven upon us, and take care of us, His vine, so that we might be strong again. “Give us new life” we beg, and we promise “we will call upon your name.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How convinced am I of my dependence upon the LORD? Would others watching me observe that dependence?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Holy Spirit, stir my mind and heart with your power and presence, manifestations of your unfathomable love. Give me the wisdom to recognize who I am and my reliance upon You for the essentials, for true life. Make me strong in my faith, resilient in my hope, and steadfast in my love. 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.