building blocks
"When He got to the house, the blind men caught up with Him. Jesus said to them, 'Are you confident I can do this?' " —Matthew 9:28
Are you confident that in "a very little while" (Is 29:17), at this Christmas, the Lord will do even more than we ever asked or imagined? (Eph 3:20) He promises "the eyes of the blind shall see"; "the deaf shall hear the words of a book" (Is 29:18) — and this is only the beginning. Honestly, many of us would have to admit that we do believe, yet need God's help with our lack of faith (Mk 9:24). This is one of the main purposes of Advent. All depends on faith, including Christmas (Rm 4:16).
Christ has a glorious Christmas ready for us, but we don't have the faith to claim it. We need time to build our faith. We need Advent. We must repent and hear the word of the Lord. We must change from "doubting Thomas" to one of those wise men and women who take God at His word and receive their glorious inheritance.
Is your faith stronger on this sixth day of Advent than it was a week ago? It should be. Will your faith be even stronger tomorrow? It will be, if God has His way. Let the Lord build your faith this Advent so you can build His kingdom this Christmas and New Year.
Prayer: Father, for starters, give me faith to move mountains, mustard-seed faith (Mt 17:20).
Promise: "Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction." —Is 29:24
Praise: Janie went to Confession before Christmas. Jesus freed her from masturbation.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, June 1, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 9, 1997