Advent 2015: Week 2

Adonai: O Adonai and Leader of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flames of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: Come and redeem us with outstretched arms."

Therefore, say to the Israelites: I am the Lord.  I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and will deliver you from their slavery.  I will redeem you by my outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment." - Exodus 6:6


Adonai was the Hebrew word used to replace the name of God in the Old Testament.  God revealed His name to Moses and appeared to him in the burning bush - allowing us to have a close personal relationship with Him.


In this close, personal relationship, God wants to free us from slavery - from anything that keeps us from perfect union with Him.  He died, with outstretched arms, to "buy us back from slavery"; to redeem us.  I pray this week for a greater awareness of what keeps us form totally surrendering to God and for trust that He can free us from our burdens.

Radix Jesse: O Root of Jesse, who stood as a sign for the people, before you kings shall remain silent, and to you the Gentiles shall make supplication; come to deliver us, and delay not."

"But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.  The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord." - Isaiah 11:1-3a


The footnote in the New American Bible says that these verses are the source of the traditional names of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  It's amazing even the Old Testament points to the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost as promised by Jesus - the Root of Jesse.
[Dads note: in case you need refreshment, like me, the seven Gifts are: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.]


Come Holy Spirit - fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love - delay not! This week I am praying for an out-pouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon friends and family.


Sister Karol Ann