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Monday, December 6, 2004

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St. Nicholas


Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 85
Luke 5:17-26

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"i'll be home for christmas"

"Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing." —Isaiah 35:10

The Lord promised that the desert would bloom with abundant flowers (Is 35:1-2). The Lord was not referring to just any desert but to the desert separating the Israelites exiled in Babylon from their homeland. In other words, the Lord promised to remove obstacles separating us from our eternal, heavenly home with Him.

A huge crowd separated a paralyzed man from Jesus, Who alone could heal him (Lk 5:19). Four of the man's friends overcame this obstacle by carrying the paralytic up onto the roof and then, after dismantling another obstacle, part of the roof, lowering him to Jesus (Lk 5:19). The man came home to the Lord when he accepted the forgiveness of Jesus (Lk 5:20; see Lk 15:18).

Every human being has a desire to go home, especially for Christmas. Many people have never had much of a home. They have been hurt, abused, used, broken, and manipulated. Between them and their true home, they have a vast desert of sin and pain, crowded with unforgiveness, bitterness, fear, resentment, and depression. We also need to get home to Jesus, but our sins separate us from Him. However, if we turn to Jesus, He will forgive and heal us. By going to Confession, we can change the desert and get home to the Christ of Christmas. He will make the desert bloom and bring us home for Christmas.

Prayer:  Father, I am "searching for a better, a heavenly home" (Heb 11:16). Lead me home this Advent.

Promise:  "My friend, your sins are forgiven you." —Lk 5:20

Praise:  St. Nicholas, patron of brides, continues to pray for all brides, especially those in troubled marriages.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape The Necessity of Confession for Renewal on audio AV 70-1 or video V-70.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard Walling, July 7, 2004


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 19, 2004