i did it his way
"O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked." —Psalm 71:4
The Lord rescues His people by creating new people. Samson (Jgs 13:24) and John the Baptizer (Lk 1:24) from today's readings are examples of this. However, our Western society is a "culture of death." It doesn't want many new people. It is contraceptive and abortifacient rather than fruitful and pro- life.
The Lord rescues His people by calling them to commitment. For example, Samson and John the Baptizer committed themselves to be lifelong Nazirites (Jgs 13:5; Lk 1:15). However, our society believes in "doing your own thing" and avoids commitment.
The Lord rescues His people by giving us the gift of faith. Those who have faith in Jesus as the Son of God conquer the world (1 Jn 5:5). However, through our secular humanistic culture, we have been programmed to be skeptical and doubtful. We are more like Zechariah (Lk 1:18) than Mary (Lk 1:34ff).
God's ways are as different from ours as the heavens are above the earth (Is 55:8-9). Therefore, we had better change our ways, or we will not let the Lord rescue us. Then we will perish. Do it His way.
Prayer: Father, in this Advent, grace me to change my ways greatly and permanently.
Promise: "In these days the Lord is acting on my behalf; He has seen fit to remove my reproach among men." —Lk 1:25
Praise: "O come now, Rod of Jesse's stem, from every foe deliver them!"
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, June 1, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 9, 1997