December 5, 2016
Advent Weekday
Life in the Valley
The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.
Isaiah 35:1-2
We went to Death Valley, California, and discovered its name to be well earned. No, we didn't die, but from the salt flats to the dunes, to the sight of tiny, panting birds, it was fascinating. Although the deserts of the holy land are not as challenging, in walking the parched ground from which no life could spring, I thought what a miracle it would be to see it flourish. I thought of the places in my own spirit where dry cynicism and irony have won out over hope, where disappointment and loss have closed my heart, where crevices brought about by sin seem permanent. Those dry patches within are like little death valleys. But everything about these weeks promises something different. For a strange man stalks that desert. He has water. He eyes us boldly, speaks to us directly and announces that there is one who is to come who will bring life, even here to this dry, impossible place.
Lord, you bring life to my soul.

- Amy Welborn

Isaiah 35:1-10|Psalm 85:9-14|Luke 5:17-26

Comments

December 5, 2016 at 02:47 PM

Thank you Amy for this inspirational devotion.

Please bring life to my soul, Lord. I really need it. I need you. Amen.

December 5, 2016 at 10:57 AM

Yet another vivid visual - thank you Amy.
God Bless us ALL and ALL who we love!
LC - I have your son and his family tucked in my prayers
and in the open arms of Our Blessed Mother.

December 5, 2016 at 09:57 AM

Amy, thank you for the beautiful reflection which says so much in few words. Definitely food for the my soul.

December 5, 2016 at 09:43 AM

Dear living faith family,
Thank you so much for your daily inspiration,
Please pray for my son and his family as they are
are navigating some rocky roads recently.
God Blessings be upon all of you.

December 5, 2016 at 08:54 AM

He sure does! He is my living water! I believe and drink because I am thirsty!

John 7:37-39, "On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took His stand. He cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in Me this way, just as the Scripture says.” (He said this in regard to the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were about to receive. The Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.)."

Here is the picture Isaiah described in 35:2b-6a, "
* They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God!
* Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
* make firm the knees that are weak,
* Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!
* Here is your God, He comes with vindication;
* With divine recompense He comes to save you.
* Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
* the ears of the deaf be cleared;
* Then will the lame leap like a stag,
* then the tongue of the mute will sing.

What describes you above? Do you see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God? You will, He promises! We have the Holy Spirit in us who believes in Jesus!

Drink and be drunk with the Holy Spirit because we are thirsty! Ephesians 5:18-20, "Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Amen!

Lord Jesus, You will come to save us! I will hear what You proclaim; You proclaim peace to us, Your people. Near indeed is Your salvation to those who fear You, glory dwelling in our land. Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.

Lord Jesus, You will come to save us! You will give us Your benefits; our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before You, and Salvation, along the way of Your steps. Yes, Lord Jesus, You will come to save us! Amen!

The River by Jordan Feliz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maT4phfTXR4

December 5, 2016 at 08:02 AM

Awesome devotion, Amy.

Amen! :)

December 5, 2016 at 07:26 AM

Amen. Thank you Holy Father for this beautiful day and for today's Gospel. Thank you Lord for my faith, my life and for my family. Thank you Holy Father most if all for your great sacrifice and for the opportunity of forgiveness and reconciliation. Please Lord have mercy. Amen

December 5, 2016 at 05:59 AM

I love you Lord

December 5, 2016 at 03:30 AM

Lord, bring life to my soul too - I really need You!

Image of the day

STAY CONNECTED

Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.

Latest Tweets

Most popular devotions

Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email

About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q. Contact Us

© 2023 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.