Jesus is Root and Fruit

December 19 Friday the Third Week

JUDGES 13:2-7, 24-25; LUKE 1:5-25.

Click here for the complete text of today’s readings.

What are you waiting for? Is it to do something great?

The reading promises, “Though you are barren, you will conceive.”

The Alleluia calls Jesus “O Root (or “Flower”) of Jesse’s stem” – the third “O Antiphon” that prepares us for Christmas.

Root and fruit. One invisible, one visible. Source of life, evidence of life. Life of Jesus at its source; life of Jesus in us. Root and flower, vine and branches.  “Source and summit” of God’s divine life on earth.

And both combined in Eucharist: the sacrament that makes the Body of Christ – members and head, vine and branches – really present in the act of offering and being offered in his life-giving death. Calvary, the root of all, continuing to bear fruit in us, a “living sacrifice,” his risen body, in every space and time.

No wonder the Church calls Eucharist the “source and summit of the Christian life.”

Like Samson and John, you were “consecrated to God from the womb” – the “second womb” of Baptism.

So what are you waiting for?

Go! “Turn hearts” toward God. “Prepare a people fit for the Lord.” Jesus said, “I chose you… to go and bear fruit” (John 15:16).  His life is in you. Go. Live it and give it.

Pray (all day):

“My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!”

Practice:

Talk about Jesus.

Say what you know.

Learn more.