Advent places us before the coming of the Lord and his Kingdom, the Good News of liberating salvation, especially for the poorest and most marginalized, for the most sinful and lost. The Lord, who came at a specific time and place, continues to come today, through his Spirit, to make present his Kingdom of salvation wherever there is conversion and trusting openness to his coming and offer. And since he came and continues to come so that his Kingdom may be definitively and fully present and the great promise may be fulfilled: “He will dwell with them, and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.” (Rev 21:3b-4).
- My God, come to my aid;
- Lord, make haste to help me;
- Glory be to the Father;
- As it was in the beginning; - Alleluia! Alleluia
Hymn
O Lord, Shepherd of the house of Israel, who leads Your people, come to our rescue by the power of Your arm.
Come quickly, O Lord. Come, Savior.
O Wisdom, from the mouth of the Father, announced by prophets, come and teach us the way of salvation.
Come quickly, O Lord. Come, Savior.
Silent adoration
Psalm 16
This Psalm is one of those called “of individual trust”, in which a believer celebrates his fidelity to God, his only Lord. Life constantly presents us with the challenge of making a choice. This time of Advent is an opportune time to reaffirm our belief in the values, words, and actions most in conformity with the fundamental choices of our Christian life.
Keep me safe, O God; in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, you are my Lord, you are my only good.
They multiply their sorrows who court other gods.
Blood libations to them I will not pour out, nor will I take their names upon my lips.
LORD, my allotted portion, and my cup, you have made my destiny secure.
I keep the LORD always before me; with him at my right hand, I shall never be shaken.
Therefore, my heart is glad, my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure,
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor let your devout one see the pit.
You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.
Silence for meditation
Pray the Psalm again, but in the form of a humble petition: “Lord, I want you to be my master always”:, “having you, I will not miss anything”, “be my inheritance, my lot”.
Reading
“Lord, teach me to seek you, and reveal yourself to me as I seek, because I can neither seek you if you do not teach me how, nor find you unless you reveal yourself. Let me seek you in desiring you; let me desire you in seeking you; let me find you in loving you; let me love you in finding you."(St. Anselm)
Silent reflection
- Is your prayer a "prayer of trust" in which you ask the Lord to live always in the orbit of his love - can you say with St. John of the Cross: "And if I rejoice, Lord, in the hope of seeing you, when I see that I may lose you, my sorrow is doubled"?
Petitions
- For those who have forgotten God for the idols of selfishness, consumerism, comfort, pleasure...
- For those who are honestly searching for a higher meaning to their lives and have not yet found it...
- For those who hesitate, for those who doubt,
-For those who, because of the difficulties of life, are in danger of abandoning their faith...
-Add your own intentions...
Our Father
Prayer
Look upon us, Lord, hear us, reveal yourself to us and enlighten us to call upon your name. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
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