Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: December 20, 2023

Date: Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Advent  

Scripture Text:  Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

R.  Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;

the world and those who dwell in it.

For he founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the rivers.

R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?

or who may stand in his holy place?

He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,

who desires not what is vain.

R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,

a reward from God his savior.

Such is the race that seeks for him,

that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

R. Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s responsorial psalm is so fitting for this time in our preparations for the coming of Christ. It reminds us of the LORD’s power and presence, manifestations of the LORD’s unfathomable love for humanity. But it also asks the question of who will be chosen to dwell with the LORD for eternity: He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain.” If we as humanity and we as individuals seek the face of the LORD for all eternity, we are to seek wholeness and its offspring, holiness. We are to shun sin and avoid selfish vanity, seeking rather to live in right relationship with the LORD and one another.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

As I approach Christmas, how am I doing in my relationships with the LORD and others? Christ came to reconcile humanity to the Father. Do I need to seek reconciliation with the LORD and with others?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You so love that You are love itself, and from that love, all that is good flows. As we prepare for the celebration of your gift of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, we ask for the gift of the Spirit to see ourselves more clearly and to seek to right those things in our lives that stand between us and You. May the Spirit stir within us the desire for be the daughters and sons You created us to be, the sisters and brothers Christ calls as disciples, living temples of the Spirit. As we journey to You, LORD, be with us so that we might choose love always. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.