Matthew 11:28 

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” 

Readings for today: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121124.cfm 

By Celia Mozzicato 

  Sometimes our burdens in life are so heavy we can no longer continue to keep going. No matter how much time, effort and attention we put in to solving our problems things don’t change. But when I recognize my weakness and ask Jesus for help, things always begin to change. 

  In this time of Advent, let’s learn to surrender our lives to Jesus every day more and more until we can rest in Him.  

  On this day, I come to you my dear Jesus with all the burdens of my troubles, and tribulations, needs, sorrows and sicknesses. I want to rest in You my Lord every day of this time of preparation with a clear mind and open heart to receive you on Christmas day.  

  How can you trust Jesus and rest in Him today?  

Celia Mozzicato has attended St. Anne Parish for 15 years. She is a member of women’s Emmaus since 2012. At age 15, she gave her life to our Lord Jesus Christ through the Catholic Renovation, the Charismatics. 

Isaiah 40:1-11  

The Word of God will stand forever. 

Readings for today: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121024.cfm  

By Linda Ramirez 

Advent – the time of preparation. How many Advents have I been a part of over the years? Preparing to make my sacraments, the advent of my graduations, the advent of my marriage, the advent of the birth of my children, and countless advents afterward as the children grew.  All were joyful and exciting times as I planned for the special occasions. However, none of these advents can possibly compare to the Season of Advent, a time to prepare for the coming of Our Lord, Our Savior, Our Emmanuel, Our King…. Our Jesus. 

Preparing for Christmas has always been so much fun for me. I love the hustle and bustle; the baking and cooking; the shopping and the decorating. Aside from the traditional tree and outdoor lights, I have two sidebars in my home that I decorate for Christmas – one is an Advent table, and the other a Nativity table. But as I meditate on today’s readings, in light of my personal journey, I see all of this for what it truly is…simply decorations! 

“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated…” (Is. 40:2). Though this verse refers to the Old Covenant coming to fulfillment as the New Covenant is instituted, today I take it more literally.  Today, I know that after receiving a diagnosis of advanced Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, that my service to God here on earth is coming to an end. I find myself asking, “What can I do for you, Lord?” The answer is that I can share my faith.  

Today, the Prophet Isaiah continues to remind me of my mortality: “All flesh is grass…The grass withers when the breadth of the LORD blows upon it… Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever” (Is. 40:8). Meditating on this, I KNOW that the word of God IS Jesus. The Word was made flesh, born incarnate of the Virgin Mary; suffered, died, was buried and rose again – defeating death. I know He came into this world to atone for my sins; thereby, saving me from eternal death. I know that He stands forever, at my side. “Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom” (Is. 40:11). 

May our Lord, nestle you and me in the comfort of his arms this Advent season. 

Linda Ramirez