Immaculata University Advent Reflection Booklet

Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with a threeyear-oldbull and one ephah of flour and a jug of wine, and brought himto the house of the LORD in Shiloh, although the child wasyoung. Then they slaughtered the bull, and brought the boy to Eli. Shesaid, “Oh, my Lord! As your soul lives, my Lord, I am the woman whostood here beside you, praying to the LORD. For this boy I prayed, andthe LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have alsodedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives he is dedicated to theLORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:24-28Dedication is the theme of this Scripture passage, as the woman, so grateful forher child, dedicates her son to God. This story calls us on to dedicate our-selvesto God in a similar way. When we think of our lives, most often we think ofwho or what we dedicate ourselves to. Students are dedicated to schoolwork,teachers are dedicated to their students, and parents and siblings are dedicated tofamily. If we are truly to live our lives for God, we must dedicate ourselves toHim. God gives us the opportunity to choose whether or not to give ourselvesto Him in any calling. And although He gives us that choice, here is somethingto think about. One of the many definitions of dedication is this: “A personal,hand-written inscription on a piece of work by an author.” If God is the Author,we are His piece of His work whether we take the form of poem, short story orresearch paper. And because He loves us so much, He gives us a hand-writteninscription dedication to Himself. Growing up I was told this story: If you’veever truly looked at your palms, you can see many lines running every whichway. But look harder. If you start to trace the lines, you will find that some connectin the shape of an “M.” Some are more prominent than others, but we allhave those lines that connect to make the letter “M.” But why an “M”? BecauseGod has labeled and dedicated us as, “Mine.”O God, You search me and You know me. You have called me into life and have been theAuthor of my story. You have called me to be dedicated in whatever my calling whether it bestudent, teacher, friend, or family member. Yet, You have also called me to dedicate myself toYou. You have written my story and dedicated me to Yourself be giving me the “M” of“Mine.” Father, help me, through the grace of Your Son and guidance of Your Spirit to trulygive myself to You in all that I do, in all that I am. In Your great name, oh Lord, I give myselfto You. Use me as You will.Rebecca L. GuthermanEnglish/Secondary Ed./TheologyDecember 22, 2011Fourth Thursday of Advent