Gospel for December 8 2024 – Luke 3:1-6
Gospel Reflections for December 8 2024
What about your needs?
The Gospel today places the story of Jesus in a real historical time, and in your time as well.
This is not a story that begins, “Once upon a time” as most fairy tales do, but places Jesus in a real time and place in history. The long list of historical names and places affirm that Jesus means to arrive with practical answers to your human condition based on your real needs right now.
There are problems in our nation as well. You can also look to political leaders to see if they will meet your needs too. Will they seek answers to rising prices? Will they find answers to crime? Will they provide peaceful resolutions to international crises?
Those are the right questions to ask any leader. They are also the right questions to ask a Savior who comes to save you too.
In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist knows how important solving real problems are. He recognizes that it is only Jesus who can answer your deepest needs. He wants to do everything possible to make sure that meeting between you and Our Lord happens.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth.
What is getting in the way of your meeting Jesus now? Advent is the time to recognize it …and remove it.
Politics sometimes can cause anxiety. You can never be sure that leaders will respond well to your needs. Fair enough. We certainly pray for all our nation’s leaders. However, that anxiety can never be the case for followers of Jesus. We always place our hope in Our Lord for our deepest happiness and so never despair.
Our Lord provides a way to lasting happiness no matter what is going on, and it is the way of love. You simply offer your life in love to those around you every day and in every event, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.
You may not change the world, but you will certainly make a difference for the people in your home, school, or work …and make a positive difference for you as well.
The way of the Lord is always the answer.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Dear Father Dave,
Your reflection showcases a perfect way of living inside the heart of Jesus.
We are challenged with all kinds of things from time to time and our love and faith lift us up.
Please offer some beautiful prayers for our son, Michael, who is battling cancer.
Many thanks.
God bless.
Kathleen
I will Pray for Michael, God Bless!
Please be assured of my prayers for Michael.
Thank you!
I really like the Psalm before the Gospel which reads,”. The Lord has done great things for us,
We are filled with Joy”. The Gospel sets the time and place of which marvelous things are to occur. This is my favorite time of the year as we pt3pare again for the Birth of Jesus.
The Music , the readings, the emphasis on giving and a new Year about to begin. Time to renew our commitment to our Faith and to each other.
Indeed God has done Great Things For Us. This is the time to be filled with Joy!
My favorite time of year as well!
Yes, it is the season to be filled with joy.
God bless you Tom Joyce.
Kathleen
Advent is a time to surrender our thoughts and cares to Jesus and let our hearts rejoice in His coming. There is a great movie “Mary” on Netflix right now that can help us prepare our hearts this advent season. I highly recommend it!
I have head great comments about this movie.