Originally posted 12/1/2008
JMJ+OBT
MARANATHA! COME, LORD JESUS!
ADVENT is a Holy Season of joyful preparation for the coming of Christ. We are to have a burning desire for Christ to come and be born into our lives in a new and profound way this Christmas. At the same time, we are to have an expectant faith in Jesus' second coming in glory. We live between the two comings of Christ and are privileged to have Him come to us in the Mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist, the Living Word, and in others. Centering our lives in the Most Holy Eucharist, living the Eternal Word, and serving Christ in others are some of the most powerful ways we can prepare for the coming of Christ.
Jesus tells us in the Gospel to "WATCH" and pray so that we are not caught off guard. Advent is a time of prayer, penance and preparation. Jesus says "What I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" To "watch" or to "be on guard" means to be attentive. We are all servants awaiting the Master's return. We are to ask ourselves what is our beloved Master looking for upon His return? What are His needs? What are His expectations? We are to prepare well so that our beloved Master is pleased when He returns. We, as servants, stay focused on fulfilling the instructions given to us by our Master. Moreover, as beloved servants we seek to please the Beloved when He comes in His visitation.
We are called to cultivate the garden of our souls so that the Beloved will be pleased in His visitation. We ask the Holy Spirit to cultivate the garden with virtues, and to root up the weeds of selfishness and vice. When Jesus comes this Christmas we want there to be room at the inn of our hearts for Him. We want Jesus to be pleased to remain with us.
We are to "watch" and "be on guard" which also means we are to guard against the attacks of the evil one, the ways of the world, and the lusts of the flesh and eyes. Do not be deceived by the devil, the flesh and the world. Advent is not a time to be wasted with the anxieties of shopping and decorating. Advent is not a time to be given to "parties" and eating and drinking.
Advent is a time of prayer, penance and preparation. The degree to which we prepare will be the degree to which we receive the gift of Jesus in a new and profound way this Christmas. "WATCH" and "BE ON GUARD!"
I urge all of you to ask Our Blessed Mother Mary and St. Joseph to help you prepare for the birth of the Divine Child, Jesus, in a new and profound way this Christmas. Ask Our Lady and St. Joseph to help you stay focused, to watch and be on guard. Pray by attending daily Mass and living the Liturgy. Pray the Holy Rosary daily. Pray the Sacred Scriptures with your family. Fast so that your soul has room to receive the Christ Child. Do penance so that He will be pleased with the room that has been prepared. Come to the Sacrament of Peace and Reconciliation so that the obstacles to Jesus' coming are removed. MARANATHA! COME, LORD JESUS!
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Through the intercession of Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. Michael, St. Peter, St. Paul, St. John, St. James, St. Therese, St. Rita, St. Philomena, St. Jude, St. Nicholas, St. Alphonsus, St. Peter Chrysologus, St. Zachary, St. Elizabeth, St. John the Baptist, St. Perpetua, St. Felicity, St. Francis, St. Veronica Guiliani, St. Joan of Arc, St. Louis, St. Joseph Calasanz, St. Padre Pio, St. Patrick, St. Bridget, St. Columban and all the Holy Angels and Saints may you be abundantly blessed in the Covenant of Communion of the Most Holy Trinity, with my Priestly blessing,
Father Zachary of the Mother of God, SOLT
