Advent and Christmas Wisdom with St Alphonsus Liguori
12 December – Wednesday of the Second week of Advent
Jesus is charged with the sins of the whole world
“Consider that the divine Word, in taking on the human form, chose not only to take the form of a sinner but also, to bear the sins of all humanity. What must have been the anguish of the heart of the infant Jesus when He discovered that divine justice insisted that He make full satisfaction for each sin! Our Lord once showed to St Catherine of Siena, the hideousness of single venial sin and such was the dread and sorrow of the saint, that she fell senseless to the gound! What then, must have been the suffering of the infant Jesus when He saw before Him, the immense array of all the crimes of history?
My beloved Jesus, I who offended You am not worthy of Your favours. Help me, O Lord, to make that act of contrition, which I now intend to do. You do not deserve to be offended, my Jesus but rather, to be loved. My blessed Redeemer, help me.”
Scripture
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:29
Prayer
O Lord,
we come to You.
We are burdened and struggling.
Our sins afflict and wound You
and ourselves.
We love You Lord Jesus,
our love above all things.
We repent with our whole hearts.
Never permit us to separate
ourselves from You again.
Grant that we may always love You
and sin no more.
O Jesus, our holy Saviour,
in Your gracious kindness,
supply what is wanting in us.
Lift us up on Your wings, O Lord.
Amen
Advent Action
Our Scripture presents us with the anchor that never rusts, the eagle that always carries us, the lamb that lifts our burdens. In the midst of the Advent rush, let us rely on the Lord to renew our strength and to carry our burdens. Let us take a break to turn our hearts each day to Him, to stop and rest and pray, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
AnaStpaul 