Thursday of the First Week of Advent

Advent Prayer

All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.



Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
Matthew 7:24

Reflection:
We pretty much listen to everyone around us don't we! We listen to our friends, parents, spouses, children, and so on, everyday of the year. We decide to listen to their advice on how we are to live or what we need to do to live in a wise and prosperous way. We literally base our lives on the sound judgment of others.

In the words of those around us we are sometimes given divine guidance through these people. Not always are we given good advice either. So when we look at how easily we listen to those around us, think for a moment how easy it could be to listen to God and base your life on faith where it truly will be built on Rock. Because then you will have used the words of God to build your life upon, and faith always weathers a storm.

When we are given trials that attempt to uproot our faith, it will stand the test of time and of God. How easily it is understood then, because life was based on faith, hope and love.