2 December 2023 Only By Grace Reflections

First Reading: Daniel 7: 15-27
Responsorial Psalm: Daniel 3: 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87
Alleluia: Luke 21: 36
Gospel: Luke 21: 34-36

Is there anything holding us back from the joy and freedom of the Lord? God wants our hearts for him and for his kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness. But our hearts can be weighed down by many different things. Jesus, our Lord and Master, offers us true freedom - freedom from the power of sin and wasted life, and freedom from our unruly desires and disordered passions - such as making food, drink or anything else our master rather than our servant. Jesus wants our hearts to be ruled by one thing only - His love and truth which enables us to choose whatever is good and to reject whatever is evil and harmful for us.

The Lord knows our struggles, weaknesses, and shortcomings. And He assures us that we do not need to carry our burdens alone nor struggle without His help. He is always very present and ready to give us whatever strength, guidance, and help we need to fight temptation and to stay the course which he has set for us. But there is one thing he doesn't tolerate: indifference, an attitude of not caring, and doing nothing! The Lord wants us to cast our anxieties on Him and to ask for His guidance and help. Do we pray for God's strength and wisdom?

This is the 1317th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.

[NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Solphie Confiado as he brings us today's reflection.

All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live