Third Thursday of Advent, 17 December 2020
In today’s reflection, Waiting in Joyful Hope author Michelle Francl-Donnay reflects on Matthew 1:16b, the Roman Canon, Jesus’ great-grandparents, and clearing out our parents’ houses.
In the comments section below, share your own response to today’s scripture, Francl-Donnay’s reflection, or the accompanying meditation prompt.
Sneak peek: Tomorrow’s reflection focuses on the “O antiphons,” the praying of which actually starts today and continues through December 23. Do you know these lovely little prayers?
More grey flannel blanketed the morning as we made a Gallucci’s run for pine nuts. Lost in thought, a light flashed. An eye shaped hole had let through the sunshine. I told Glenn God had winked at us. So we both winked back. It is good to be reminded of Jesus’ family tree. While He is our light in the darkness, it is not just a flash. His light is tethered in time to a family, just as I am. He had grandparents, just as I did. My Italian grandfather, not one to say he loved me, had many other ways of expressing his love. Winking was one of my favorites. His blue eyes only flashed for a second, but I knew his love was forever, just like Father God’s for humanity.
I pray for all who have gone before me and I pray with my ancestors. Primarily my parents and sometimes my sister. I know they love the same family members I love so I ask for their intercession with the Lord to help whichever family member is struggling at the time. This brings me a lot of comfort because I believe they are with Our Lord.
Like Marge, I pray to my dearly beloved Dad, and my sister Peggy and brother Ray who left us too soon. I like to imagine them reunited in the joyous halls of Heaven, and looking forward to Spring Training – all of them were huge fans of the Cleveland soon-to-be-named-something-else baseball team. I feel their presence from time to time, and know they are watching over my large and often unruly family, along with my paternal and maternal grandparents, and aunts and uncles who were such strong influences in my life. I also have three nephews named Samuel, Abraham, and Isaac, the youngest, who enjoy seeing their names “in lights” in this particular Scripture reading – much more so than when Abraham was on the verge of sacrificing Isaac.