Advent offers a powerful opportunity to prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming, and we begin this holy season by renewing our efforts to build up the relationships that God sets before us.
The season of Advent urges us to prepare not only for the Lord’s birth, but also for his return in glory. May these coming weeks help us to meet the Lord on Christmas day and make us ready for the hour when we are called from this life to the next.
Building on the Gospel reading from yesterday we see how crucial it is for us to be prepared as we follow Jesus Christ through this life. It begs a question: what preparations do we need to make today?
This week we hear about John the Baptist who embodies the great call of Isaiah the prophet to “prepare the way of the Lord.” John heralds the coming of the Messiah, urging us to change our ways and prepare our hearts. Here’s a quick recap:
1st Reading – Isaiah comforts the people as God prepares the way.
Psalm – “Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.”
2nd Reading – We patiently await the Lord’s coming.
Gospel – John the Baptist preaches repentance and prepares the people for Jesus.
The stirring quality of these readings prompts us to respond decisively. God calls us to action! God comes with power! The urgency underscored in these readings today emphasizes that eternal life is at stake; what we do here on earth leads to repercussions in Heaven.
Yet we also know that careful planning frequently precedes bold action. As we follow Christ we take the time that Advent offers to reflect on how the Lord is speaking to our lives. We pause in this season because there are critical times in life that demand stillness, silence, reflection and thoughtful attention. Simply put, we slow down with the Lord so that we are ready to speed up when life switches gears.
What is God doing in our lives today? What needs preparation? How is the Lord working in and through our hearts?
Take this week and perform a simple internal spiritual inventory. Consider this one question – If God called you home tonight, would you be ready? If the answer is yes, then we live our faith with eagerness and zeal. If the answer is no, then we take time to prepare the way for the Lord.
Note: This post was first published on December 4, 2017.
Advent is one of those seasons that has the power to surprise us. Just like the relationship between Lent and Easter, Advent offers us a time to prepare our hearts for the great feast of Christmas. In this short season we discover the themes of Preparation, Waiting, Expectation, Repentance, and Stillness.
The thing is…if we aren’t ready for Advent then the whirlwind rush of December can sweep us up into the frenzy of the commercial side of the holiday. Many people are so busy – concerts, parties, family events, purchasing gifts and partaking of the “forced fun” of consumerism’s attempt at a Hallmark Christmas…
Whew! Instead, we can take a deep breath, pray, and reflect on where the Lord is leading us at this moment in our lives. Consider the readings this Sunday:
1st Reading – Isaiah acknowledges that the people are far from God
Psalm – “Lord make us turn to you; show us your face and we shall be saved.”
2nd Reading – St. Paul encourages the people of Corinth to be faithful to the end.
Gospel – The Lord exhorts us to be watchful and alert.
So in these short days of preparation here are a few questions to ponder:
Where I can find a little stillness and quiet in my life?
How is the Lord calling me to pray?
Is there anything or anyone that requires special attention?
Where is the Lord leading me right now?
What do I need to do as I prepare for Christmas?
How can I help someone in this quiet season of Advent?
You get the idea. Step back, pause, and consider in the busy pace that many of us call normal how the Lord is directing your heart. Advent has a beauty and power; our task is to enter into this season and allow God to speak to our souls.
Note: This post was first published on November 27, 2017.
Three Great Things 