Friday, First Week of Advent
Theme: Jacob
Symbol: Ladder
Prayer of Ven. Bruno Lanteri
Almighty and Eternal God, I (name), although most unworthy, but encouraged by your compassion and infinite mercy, and by the desire of serving you, offer before the Most Holy Virgin Mary and all the Court of Heaven, to your Divine Majesty, this day, and all my thoughts, words and actions in it. I humbly beg of your infinite goodness and mercy, by the Blood of Jesus Christ, that you choose to accept this offering in the odor of sweetness, and that as you have given me the grace to desire and to make this offering, so also you grant me the grace to fulfill it. Amen.
O Virgin immaculately conceived, put into my heart those things of your Son most pleasing to him. Amen.
Scripture: John 1:50-51
Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.”And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Reflection: Jacob continued the line of the Jewish Patriarchs after Isaac. God showed him a vision of a great ladder stretching into heaven with angels ascending and descending. God was promising that heaven and earth would once again be connected and that access to his grace would be restored. Jesus is the true ladder. He connects heaven and earth perfectly, and he is the one who makes access to the Father a perfect reality. Upon Jesus do angels ascend and descend. Is Jesus your ladder? Do you make friendship with him a priority so that you will have access to the Kingdom of God?