You Name It
advent to epiphany - day 12

Today’s readings: Isaiah 41:13-20; Matthew 11:11-15

¹³I am holding you by your right hand—I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, 'Do not be afraid. I am here to help you. ¹⁴Despised though you are, O Israel, don't be afraid, for I will help you. I am the LORD, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.' ¹⁵You will be a new threshing instrument with many sharp teeth. You will tear all your enemies apart, making chaff of mountains. ¹⁶You will toss them in the air, and the wind will blow them all away; a whirlwind will scatter them. And the joy of the LORD will fill you to overflowing. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.

¹⁷"When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the LORD, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never forsake them. ¹⁸I will open up rivers for them on high plateaus. I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. In the deserts they will find pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the dry, parched ground. ¹⁹I will plant trees—cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, cypress, fir, and pine—on barren land. ²⁰Everyone will see this miracle and understand that it is the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, who did it.

¹¹"I assure you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the most insignificant person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! ¹²And from the time John the Baptist began preaching and baptizing until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people attack it. ¹³For before John came, all the teachings of the Scriptures looked forward to this present time. ¹⁴And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. ¹⁵Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!

“Be it done to me according to your word.” We can all too easily recite the words Mary proclaimed to the angel Gabriel. God doesn’t ask of us the great things asked of Mary. But he does yearn for our “Yes! Yes, you name it!” What are we doing for God and our neighbors that helps bring about a Kingdom that will have no end?

-- Catholic Update, “Advent Reflections: Longing for Peace”

taken from advent to epiphany: celebrating the Christmas Season

i am not catholic, but i have a friend in texas that made me think about this, and i think it is cool.

this is getting out late, sorry.