The Incarnation and the Exultation: An Advent Devotional - Wednesday, First Week of Advent
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The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good tidings to the afflicted;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion —
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1-3
When believers in the early Church were baptized, they took off their old clothes to symbolize the shedding of their former, sinful life. They were given a new white garment to show that through baptism, they had been set free from their old life and clothed with Christ. When we are set free from our sin through the Anointed One who brings us the Good News, binds our wounds, and proclaims freedom to our captive souls, we receive a garment of praise instead of the ashes of our sin, and the oil of gladness in place of our sorrow. There is no more shame — only love.
The bonding agent for believers is love (Col 3:14). It holds all the other virtues together. It guides our actions, opens our eyes to new possibilities, and fills us with the power to witness to the saving power of Christ, our head. The Church grows as we grow. We help to shape the Body that continually shapes us. We live in fellowship, wearing our faith as a garment of praise, sharing with others the peace that holds us together as one.
Questions for reflection
How has the cleansing power of Christ given you a garment of praise in place of the ashes of your sin?
Are there any sins that sill hold you bound? Can you confess them and find greater freedom in Christ today?
How can you share the Good News of the One who has come to set prisoners free and replace our tears of mourning with a garment of praise?
Praying with Scripture
Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean. (Is 52:1)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
