The Holy Prophet Daniel, the Three Holy Youths Ananiah (Ananias), Azariah (Azarias) and Mishael (Misael) (6th century BC)
Nativity Fast.
Ephesians 1:16-23; Luke 12:32-40
Read Ephesians 1:16-23
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Have you ever had the opportunity to look through a high-powered set of binoculars or a telescope at ships sailing through a channel or heading into port? Even staring right at these ships, it’s incredible what our eyes can miss. One moment they are indistinct blobs moving across the ocean, the next you can see their names clearly and people moving around on deck. Sometimes you notice boats behind the ones you saw that you weren’t even aware of before using the telescope!
Today in our reading, St. Paul prays for the Ephesian Christians that the eyes of their hearts be enlightened to see the hope of their high calling. This hope, like the telescope, shows a whole new world to us as Christians where Christ’s Resurrection defines and directs our thoughts and actions.
As we prepare to celebrate anew the Nativity of our Lord, spend some time preparing the “eyes of your heart” through prayer so as not to miss the Lord’s incredible gift to you in the manger!