Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 16, 2023

Date:   Saturday of the 2nd Week of Advent

 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 plantedthe 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 helps us to articulate our need for the LORD’s loving care and salvation and the LORD’s desire for us to bring our needs to Him.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

 Do I bring my needs to the LORD? Do I seek the LORD’s help in this journey?

Praying:

LORD,  Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, we come to You this day expressing our praise of You as well as acknowledging our need for You, your power, your presence, your love. We know that we are because of You and your unfathomable love. We seek your protection and your guidance so that we might use our lives to find our way home to You. Bless our journey in faith, increase our hope, and deepen our 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.