Meditation - Friday 7th December 2007 - Looking forward in Joy (All Posters most welcome!)

[BarbaraTherese]

**“One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: To dwell in the Lord’s house all the days of my life, to gaze on the Lord’s beauty, to visit his temple.” (Psalm 27:4) **
As we fix our attention on Jesus and the manger this Advent, let’s also turn our gaze to the final home he has prepared for us—heaven. Jesus left his throne with the express purpose of laying his life down so that we can be reunited with him here on earth, and live with him forever in heaven. Yes, it may sound too good to be true, but Jesus has opened the gates of heaven to everyone who embraces him.
For full text go to:
[wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=12&day=07&year=2007&x=11&y=9](http://www.wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=12&day=07&year=2007&x=11&y=9)

Reading 1
Is 29:17-24

Thus says the Lord GOD:
But a very little while,
and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,
and the orchard be regarded as a forest!
On that day the deaf shall hear
the words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness,
the eyes of the blind shall see.
The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD,
and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the tyrant will be no more
and the arrogant will have gone;
All who are alert to do evil will be cut off,
those whose mere word condemns a man,
Who ensnare his defender at the gate,
and leave the just man with an empty claim.
Therefore thus says the LORD,
the God of the house of Jacob,
who redeemed Abraham:
Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of,
nor shall his face grow pale.
When his children see
the work of my hands in his midst,
They shall keep my name holy;
they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob,
and be in awe of the God of Israel.
Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,
and those who find fault shall receive instruction.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Gospel
Mt 9:27-31

As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out,
“Son of David, have pity on us!”
When he entered the house,
the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them,
“Do you believe that I can do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said,
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
And their eyes were opened.
Jesus warned them sternly,
“See that no one knows about this.”
But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.