Day 3 of our 25 days of Scripture Reflections for this Christmas Season is on the message of the angel, "Do Not Be Afraid."
Scriptures:
"But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard (Luke 1:13)
"Then the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God'" (Luke 1:30).
"An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife ..." (Matt 1:20).
"Do not be afraid, for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10).
Reflection: The message of the angel Gabriel is clear, and the message He is sending is from God Himself - Do Not Be Afraid! Mary and Joseph were about to bring forth God's plan of salvation for the world, but it's not a plan they carried out alone. It was God’s work, and He provided them the graces they needed.
God always provides us what we need to do His Will. Notice in the above Scripture quotes that each person is called by name. There is something personal about this message. It's a message for us too. "Do not be afraid."
Questions: Does it comfort me to know that God doesn't want me to be afraid? Have I truly talked with God about this in prayer? Do I ask God to heal me and deliver me from my fears?
Prayer: Dear Lord, you know me better than anyone else. You know what it is that I am afraid of. You know better than I do what holds me back from living a life closer to you, and doing your Will. You know how much I need to hear this message of yours. Please give me hope that I may be set free from all of my fears. Please pour out this grace upon me now, and fill me with the gifts of peace and courage. Lord, help me to not be afraid, for your plan is one of perfect love, and "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). Amen.
Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you.
Scriptures:
"But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard (Luke 1:13)
"Then the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God'" (Luke 1:30).
"An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife ..." (Matt 1:20).
"Do not be afraid, for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10).
Reflection: The message of the angel Gabriel is clear, and the message He is sending is from God Himself - Do Not Be Afraid! Mary and Joseph were about to bring forth God's plan of salvation for the world, but it's not a plan they carried out alone. It was God’s work, and He provided them the graces they needed.
God always provides us what we need to do His Will. Notice in the above Scripture quotes that each person is called by name. There is something personal about this message. It's a message for us too. "Do not be afraid."
Questions: Does it comfort me to know that God doesn't want me to be afraid? Have I truly talked with God about this in prayer? Do I ask God to heal me and deliver me from my fears?
Prayer: Dear Lord, you know me better than anyone else. You know what it is that I am afraid of. You know better than I do what holds me back from living a life closer to you, and doing your Will. You know how much I need to hear this message of yours. Please give me hope that I may be set free from all of my fears. Please pour out this grace upon me now, and fill me with the gifts of peace and courage. Lord, help me to not be afraid, for your plan is one of perfect love, and "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). Amen.
Join us again tomorrow for another spiritual reflection. May God Bless you.
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