Is 25:6-10a Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Mt 15:29-37

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

Today’s readings appropriately come at one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year for many of us. This Advent season is supposed to be filled with joy, wonder, peace, and excitement for Jesus’ coming on Christmas day. However, we often dilute those beautiful aspects of this season by getting caught up into the worldly aspects of the season. In forgetting the peace that this time of year brings, some of us are even glad to see Christmas pass so that our lives can settle down again.

Personally, this is my favorite time of year. I adore everything from boy band Christmas songs to cutting down an evergreen with my family to spending time with relatives. These detailed examples would not be nearly as enjoyable if this were not a peaceful season. Therefore it saddens me when I see myself and those around me fall into the trap of stress during this beautiful time of year.

The most important theme in today’s readings, in my opinion, is that God will provide us with all that we need. During this hectic and festive time of year, it’s good to remember that God will take care of us, regardless of how great or small our worries are. Whether we’re stressed about finals, family get-togethers, Christmas cards, buying just the right gifts, or holiday travel, God is in control of it all and will help us through.

We see Jesus embody this idea in today’s Gospel by feeding his followers with the few loaves and fish they had. Jesus recognized a need, the need for food, and filled that need by not letting them go hungry.

The more we allow God to do in our lives, the more we will notice His works around us. If we are stressed and consciously decide to put our fears into God’s hands and soon thereafter someone offers to help or gives a word of encouragement, for example, we will be more likely to notice God working through that person.

If we can successfully give God our stresses throughout this Advent season, we will not only notice God’s handiwork more often, but will also be able to more thoroughly enjoy the peace of the season. Let’s give our stresses to God this Advent season so that on Christmas day we can say wholeheartedly:

I leave you today wishing you a peaceful Advent and by reminding you that if it’s important enough to worry about, it’s important enough to pray about.