What shall I cry out this Advent?

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday in the Second Week of Advent, 10 December 2024
Isaiah 40:25-31     <*((((><  +  ><))))*>     Matthew 11:28-30

Thank you, Lord Jesus
for the gift of this Season of Advent,
a time for new beginnings in God,
a chance for me to prepare your way,
O Lord, right here in my heart;
I can hear your voice saying
"Cry out!" but like Isaiah,
I said, "what shall I cry out?"
(Isaiah 40:6)

You speak of comforting your people,
O Lord, but, how shall I comfort your people
when I am afraid of difficulties in life?

How shall I comfort your people,
O Lord, when I refuse to make time
to visit the sick,
listen to the cries of the poor,
and stay with those at the margins?

How can I find your lost sheep,
Jesus when I am also lost,
grappling for which is true and just,
finding no one to guide me too
at how every valley shall be filled with love
or every mountain and hill of pride be made low?

Fill me with your tenderness, 
loving God our Father
in Jesus Christ;
empty me of my pride
and fill me with your 
humility, justice and love
to seek out others who are lost,
to comfort those who are weak,
to guide those disappointed
and disillusioned
in not finding you Jesus
in their home or school,
in their church,
among their family and friends,
and among our fellow disciples.
Amen.