“REJOICE” THE LORD ALWAYS
“Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God?” –Isaiah 7:13
Mass Readings: December 20
First: Isaiah 7:10-14; Resp: Psalm 24:1-6; Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
Listen to the Mass Readings
Before writing this, I sat at two airports for several hours as my flights were canceled and/or delayed. I was very weary. Then I read Isaiah 7:13. In a manner of speaking, I weary God when I:
- complain and whine about my own weariness,
- refuse to “walk by faith” (see 2 Cor 5:7),
- sin,
- disobey the Lord,
- refuse to forgive,
- refuse to repent,
- gossip,
- waste the time the Lord has given me, and
- live in selfishness.
Those who sin like Ahaz and Zechariah (see Is 7:12; Lk 1:20) weary the Lord. Those who have faith like that of Mary give the Lord reason to rejoice over them with gladness and to sing joyfully because of them (Zep 3:17).
Men and women of faith, “rejoice” the Lord always. “I say it again. Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4)
PRAYER: Jesus, You are my Joy. May I always be Your joy.
PROMISE: “I am the slave of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.” —Lk 1:38, our transl.
PRAISE: “O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at Your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead Your captive people into freedom.”
