Second Saturday of Advent
– You can ponder on the picture.
– You can pray on the words of Scripture. For methods of praying with scripture click button below.
– You can follow the suggestions in the daily ‘Reflection’.
– You can listen to the music
Today’s Scripture
Psalm 79 (80)
Listen, Shepherd of Israel,
who leads Joseph like a flock;
You who sit enthroned on the cherubim,
rise up
before Ephraim,
Benjamin, and Manasseh.
Rally Your power and come to save us.
Restore us, God;
look on us with favour,
and we will be saved.
Return, God of Hosts.
Look down from heaven and see;
take care of this vine,
the root Your right hand has planted,
the shoot that You made strong for Yourself.
It was cut down and burned up;
they perish at the rebuke of Your countenance.
Let Your hand be with the man at Your right hand,
with the son of man
You have made strong for Yourself.
Then we will not turn away from You;
revive us, and we will call on Your name.
Restore us, Yahweh, the God of Hosts;
look on us with favour, and we will be saved.
Reflection
In this cry for restoration, the psalmist speaks of the strength that comes from trusting in God’s power to heal and revive.
The vine symbolises the people who have felt at times cut down, burned, and damaged by the events of life which threatened it. However, the roots remained intact and so fruitfulness was always a latent possibility. Hope never died.
We all experience seasons of fruitfulness and seasons where we feel bare or dry. Which season would you use to describe yourself at the moment?
St Ignatius of Loyola encouraged those he was writing for to notice where there is growth and rejoice in this, expressing gratitude and savouring the fruit.
He also suggested we notice the dryness, dullness, lack of joy – to bring these to God and open ourselves to healing and restoration.
Bear these things in mind as you reflect on the passage and speak with God about what emerges, as one friend with another.
Today’s Music
Click to purchase more music of The Porter’s Gate