Thursday of the Second Week of Advent

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

December 8, 2016

Teresa-21

Today’s Thought from Scripture:  Ephesians 1:11-12

 

In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.

 

According to tradition, Mary’s parents endured many years of childlessness before God answered their prayers and gave them their heart’s desire. As a young child, Mary was dedicated to service in the temple. Think of what that meant for Anne, to relinquish her precious daughter to the care of the temple wards, and to relinquish her dreams for her daughter when Mary told her of the angel’s message.

God’s greatest gifts come with strings that bind us to his Heart.

 

Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Queen and Mother,

be more and more our way to Jesus, the light of Jesus,

and the life of Jesus in each one of us.

In return for this gift,

let us be more and more a cause of joy to one another,

the way of peace to one another

and the living of love of Jesus for one another.

Prayer of St. Teresa of Calcutta[i]

 

To read the full readings for today, click here.

[i] Mother Teresa. Thirsting for God: Daily Meditations. Angelo D. Scolozzi, ed. (Cincinnati, Ohio: Servant, 2013), 143.

Advent Reflections Courtesy of:

heidi-2013Heidi is a wife and adoptive mother, contributing writer to WINE, and author of Advent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta and the follow-up companion, Lent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Servant, released January 2017). Heidi received a graduate degree in theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit in 2012, having converted to the Catholic faith in 1995 from the evangelical tradition. She met her husband, Craig, at the University of Michigan Ballroom Dance Club, and lives with her family (including two special-needs teenagers, a longsuffering Aussie shepherd and a snuggly Chiweenie) near South Bend, Indiana.