Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

Reflection Questions

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted my request.  Now I, in turn, give him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the Lord."  What is the most precious thing that you value in your life?  How has God been a part of that?  What are you willing to give to God out of a grateful heart?

"He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty."  Today's Gospel is Mary's beautiful prayer called the Magnificat.  What parts of the prayer do you feel you share with Mary?  What are you hungry for spiritually?

"He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever."  How has God shown mercy with you?  What does God's promise of faithfulness mean to you?  How have you been faithful in your promises to others?
Prayer

Faithful God of mercy, may we recognize that all good things come from You.  May we have the courage to give of our very selves what we value most to You in the form of service and love. May we hunger for justice, peace and compassion in our world and be willing to be those very things in our own lives.  May we be merciful as You are merciful and may we be faithful to both You and those in our lives.  My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior!
Scripture

First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28
Psalm: 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8
Gospel: Luke 1:46-56


Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website