Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. — Psalm 85:8 

Mass Readings: Isaiah 40:1-5,9-11 / 2 Peter 3:8-14 / Mark 1:1-8

Light a Candle 

When I was in college there was some construction work being done on my dorm . . . directly below my room. For several weeks, I was awakened abruptly each morning with a loud pneumatic drill vibrating the whole room and sending me rocketing from my bed in complete disorientation with my heart pounding in panic. 

God doesn’t do this when He comes to awaken our race from sin. He brings the light slowly, so that His people can get their bearings. He roots John the Baptist in a familiar promise: the message of comfort He sent long ago assuring exiled Israel of redemption. Then He teaches them to look forward to the now-imminent Light Who is Jesus. He does the same for us today as we look back on salvation history and forward to His Second Coming.

Prayer: Father, help us get used to Jesus’ dawning light that we might see His glory.