The Incarnation and the Exultation: An Advent Devotional - The Second Sunday of Advent
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O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy mountain?
He who walks blamelessly, and does what is right,
and speaks truth from his heart;
who does not slander with his tongue,
and does no evil to his friend,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
in whose eyes a reprobate is despised,
but who honors those who fear the LORD;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
who does not put out his money at interest,
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.
Psalms 15:1-5
All the good deeds we could ever do could never win our way into heaven. Yet, as transformed believers, our lives become a living sacrifice, offered to God in praise and thanksgiving, holy and pleasing in every way. As we walk in integrity, blameless of heart and committed to righteousness, we become immovable and solid. The world cannot shake us, and yet our lives and our legacy can shake the world!
In Jesus, we are graced to live out our faith in the integrity of our good works, offered to the Lord with grateful hearts. We respond to our faith with works of love that are birthed by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Like a memorial carved into solid rock, our lives stand strong to remind the world that it is only in Christ that we can please God, refuse sin, and claim the inheritance that is ours.
Questions for reflection
How does being an immovable man of integrity help you to leave your legacy in the world?
What have you given up to be a more solid believer? What have you gained for yourself and for the Church you serve because of that surrender?
What can you do to become more and more a living sacrifice to your heavenly Father and your Catholic brothers?
Praying with Scripture
To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (Prv 21:3)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
You can watch and listen to this devotion HERE
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.
