Saint Nicholas (4th century), Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

 Readings of the day: RB 54Mass: Isaiah 25:6-10a; Resp. Psalm 23; Matthew 15:29-37

Russian Icon of St Nicholas
THEY GLORIFIED THE GOD OF ISRAEL.
In today’s Gospel we hear of the great crowds that came to Jesus. Many with visible afflictions were brought to Him: the mute, deformed, lame, and blind. They were cured. What about those with afflictions that are not so visible: addictions, emotional traumas, mental illness, depression. I think of those people, along with myself, who also need healing. Let us go together to sit at the Lord’s feet and pray for one another—for those known to us and those unknown to us who want to be cured. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from our faces.
BEHOLD, THE LORD COMES TO SAVE HIS PEOPLE;BLESSED ARE THOSE PREPARED TO MEET HIM.
MARANATHA.