First Friday of Advent

The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone; All who are alert to do evil will be cut off, those whose mere word condemns a man, who ensnare his defender at the gate, and leave the just man with an empty claim.

The world around us may offer us many pleasures and momentary distractions, but no person, place, or thing can ever give us the joy that God offers us. When we humbly converse with Him in prayer, feast with Him in mass, and seek His Divine Mercy in reconciliation, we are filled with an unmatchable happiness. When we are poor in spirit, renouncing earthly goods, mortifying ourselves, and placing our trust in our Heavenly Father, we are rewarded with spiritual consolations. When we know, love, and serve God and His children with our whole hearts, we grow in faith, hope, charity, and God’s favor. In this life, there may be those who lord it over us and do evil to us, but as long as we are patient and turn the other cheek, then we shall be given the grace we need to find joy even in the midst of our trials. God will act justly for us. We do not need to retaliate. We need only to love others, even our enemies, as Jesus did and let God take care of the rest.

How can we become humbler in our thoughts, words, and works? What can we do embody being poor in spirit? Are we willing to be patient and let God defend us against our persecutors?

O Lord, you are the source of our joy and our matchless defender.

Amen.