Wisdom Is Vindicated by Her Works – Friday of the Second Week of Advent

Friday of the Second Week of Advent

Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

Matthew 11:16-19

Jesus said to the crowds:
“To what shall I compare this generation?
It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,
‘He is possessed by a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,
‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
But wisdom is vindicated by her works.”

Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to overcome my human tendency to judge the actions of others based on my own criteria. Grant me the gift of wisdom so that I may judge not as man does but as you do.

Encountering Christ:

1. Childish or Childlike?: Our childish ways surface when we’re tired, feeling sorry for ourselves, or ashamed of a thought or behavior that we thought we had overcome. We must then remember that the Lord called us to be childlike, not childish, and realize that those moments are opportunities for us to muster up the trust of a child and say, “Not my will be done but yours.”

2. John and Jesus: We are working hard to prepare our hearts for the Lord’s birth, each in his or her own way. But when we try to compare ourselves to others, especially by assessing spiritual progress, we fall into a trap. “Compare and despair,” says the old adage. By focusing on Jesus, we can avoid the tendencies toward judgment and criticism of ourselves and others, and we will be sure to attain our goal of pleasing him.

3. Wisdom: “Wisdom is vindicated by her works.” When we are faithful to daily mental prayer and connect with the Lord, our motivations are purified. Let us pray that all of our works reflect a genuine desire to please the Lord in all that we do.

Conversing with Christ: Dearest Jesus, replace the childishness in me with childlike trust. Please help me to live only to please you in all that I do rather than wasting my time comparing myself to and playing judge of others.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will make time for ten minutes of mental prayer where I will simply sit in your presence and ask you to tend to the garden of my soul.

For Further Reflection: Read about Saint Lucy here. Use this beginners guide to mental prayer.

Marjorie Davin is a lay member of Regnum Christi of 21 years who has served as director of the Women’s Section in the Washington, D.C., area. She and her husband just celebrated their jubilee anniversary of 25 years and are the parents of four adult children.