Good morning, good people.
May the Lord give you grace, peace, and health in the Holy Spirit.
It is on 29th November 2022. We reflect on Isaiah 11:1-10 (IS 11:1-10) and Luke 10:21-24 (LK 10:21-24).
God reveals Himself to the simple and humble people.
Fusion is a reality when harmony and integrity are found in us. We begin to see God’s presence in everything we say and do. God cannot be explored and explained in scientific and analytical terms except through lenses of faith and prayer.
A constant surrender and childlike trust allow us to experience God who is with us, in us, and around us. God reveals Himself to the simple and humble people who have the trust, faith, and mindset of a child.
God alone can offer lasting peace and happiness in Jesus.
The first reading sparks hope for all who believe in the Messiah who is peace and the Bringer of unity and integrity. God did not forget and dump the people of God who lived and behaved against the will of God. Yet, God prepared the minds of the people to accept the one offer of hope and salvation through His only Son Jesus, who will create and provide the environment and mindset to embrace a life of peace, reconciliation, and justice.
God alone can offer lasting peace and happiness in Jesus. There is no hope without having faith in God and in Jesus. Do we believe and accept it?
The gifts of the Spirit make us bear fruit for the Word that we listen to and learn.
We live a life of blessings when our lives are guided by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The first reading presents us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We all need the gifts of the Spirit to bear fruit for the Word that we listen to and learn.
The Catechism teaches us (CCC 1831) “The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them.”
Do we know the gifts we have?
Advent is a spiritual stock-taking time. Do we know the gifts we have? Have you ever used it for yourself and the welfare of the community?
Gifts are to lead us to those who live on the edge and fringe of society. Our hope rests in the shoot of hope. “A shoot shall spring from the stock of Jesse: the whole world shall be filled with the glory of the Lord and all flesh shall see the saving power of God.”
May God strengthen us to recognize Him in our lives and around us.
God bless you.
Fr. Peter Fernando, OFMCap.
Director, Office of Family Ministry
Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia (AVOSA)
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Website: https://reflectionsofpeter.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samarpet