Bible Diary

Daily Reading

Thursday of the First Week of Advent

LECTIONARY
178

FIRST READING

IS 26:1-6

On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:

"A strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you."

Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those in high places,
and the lofty city he brings down;
He tumbles it to the ground,
levels it with the dust.
It is trampled underfoot by the needy,
by the footsteps of the poor.

PSALM

verses

Response: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.

Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD's;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.

O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and he has given us light.

GOSPEL

MT 7:21, 24-27

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,'
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined."

Daily Reflection

The toughest prayer to make is “let Your will, not mine be done”, for it goes beyond mere lip service. In fact, Jesus is absolutely clear in today’s Gospel, “Not everyone who says to me Lord! Lord! will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Heavenly Father.”

But how do I discern the Father’s will for me?

Advent provides us with an opportunity for discernment, by inviting us to reflect on the Word of God in the context of life. We could begin with the very basics – Where am I headed in life? What’s my purpose? For most people, their purpose in life is determined by what they hope to achieve – position, power, possessions, and so on – which they believe will bring happiness. However, today’s readings remind us of the need to distinguish between what offers lasting joy and things that are temporary.

Could we make this Advent a time of discernment?