Marist Association Daily Prayer

Let us always remember that

we are in the holy presence of God

May God continue to live in our hearts

In the name of the Father,

Son and Holy Spirit

Amen

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  • Intention of the Day
  • Today's Gospel
  • Breaking Open the Word
  • Marist Source
  • Reflection
  • Meditation
  • Call to Action
  • Closing Prayer

Intention of the Day

That, like Marcellin, we love the children and young people of our day.
The Brothers' Community at Macedon.

That, like Marcellin, we love the children and young people of our day.
The Brothers' Community at Macedon.

Today's Gospel.

Your wife Elizabeth is to bear you a son and you shall name him John.

Luke 1: 13.
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Luke 1: 5 - 25.

5 In the days of King Herod of Judaea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron.

6 Both were upright in the sight of God and impeccably carried out all the commandments and observances of the Lord.

7 But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both advanced in years.

8 Now it happened that it was the turn of his section to serve, and he was exercising his priestly office before God

9 when it fell to him by lot, as the priestly custom was, to enter the Lord's sanctuary and burn incense there.

10 And at the hour of incense all the people were outside, praying.

11 Then there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense.

12 The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear.

13 But the angel said to him, 'Zechariah, do not be afraid, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is to bear you a son and you shall name him John.

14 He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth,

15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he must drink no wine, no strong drink; even from his mother's womb he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,

16 and he will bring back many of the Israelites to the Lord their God.

17 With the spirit and power of Elijah, he will go before him to reconcile fathers to their children and the disobedient to the good sense of the upright, preparing for the Lord a people fit for him.'

18 Zechariah said to the angel, 'How can I know this? I am an old man and my wife is getting on in years.'

19 The angel replied, 'I am Gabriel, who stand in God's presence, and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news.

20 Look! Since you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time, you will be silenced and have no power of speech until this has happened.'

21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he stayed in the sanctuary so long.

22 When he came out he could not speak to them, and they realised that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. But he could only make signs to them and remained dumb.

23 When his time of service came to an end he returned home.

24 Some time later his wife Elizabeth conceived and for five months she kept to herself, saying,

25 'The Lord has done this for me, now that it has pleased him to take away the humiliation I suffered in public.'

Breaking Open The Word

In the midst of longing, suffering, and emptiness, God can break through our darkness and bring life to places we thought were hopeless.

Taken from: Give Us This Day
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Taken from: Give Us This Day

Drawing Near.

The pain and suffering of social stigma is debilitating. It can rob a person of their dignity and hope.

No matter how many commandments were observed or good deeds done, Elizabeth was childless, and her barrenness was seen as a punishment from God. She felt “disgraced before others.” In a culture that condemned her and saw her life as meaningless, Elizabeth could have recoiled into silence or lashed out in bitterness. Instead, she remained faithful, and in the eyes of God, she was righteous and blameless. Elizabeth chose to spend her days drawing near to God, focusing on what she could do with her life.

Together, Elizabeth and Zechariah were righteous before God. They refused to allow any adverse circumstances to affect their relationship with God and their love for each other. We know the deep burden of infertility they shared, and we know that Zechariah brought this to his prayer. The angel Gabriel said Zechariah’s prayer was heard, and Elizabeth would bear a son.

This answered prayer laid the foundation for the joy we look forward to during this Advent season. In the midst of longing, suffering, and emptiness, God can break through our darkness and bring life to places we thought were hopeless. Neither age, race, sex, or social status can block God’s work within us. Open your heart for the new birth that is coming.

Diana Guédry Gaillardetz. Taken from Give Us This Day.

Diana Guédry Gaillardetz is a pastoral associate and coordinator of faith formation at St. John’s parish in Boston. She is also pursuing a master’s in social work from Boston College.

That, like Marcellin, we love the children and young people of our day.
The Brothers' Community at Macedon.

Marist Source

In his humble way, Marcellin saw God at work, and so acted with courage and commitment.

# WFR 17.

That, like Marcellin, we love the children and young people of our day.
The Brothers' Community at Macedon.

To Ponder

‘Do not be afraid…’ In what aspect of my life do I most need to hear it? What difference would an absence of fear make in this situation?

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Where has the Spirit drawn you in today's prayer?

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Closing Prayer

All Loving God

Cultivate in us a spirituality that flows out of Marian simplicity, humility and modesty.

Release in us wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement for your work in which we share.

Help us set our gaze on those people and places most in need of Christlife,

Impel us to respond together,

And lead us to be in communion with one another, and with you.

Like Mary, we listen for your invitation,

Like Mary, we set out joyfully and in haste to the hill country of the lives of young people,

Like Mary, we build communities in ways that are Christ-centred.

All Loving God, come and live in our hearts.

 

 Amen