Originally posted on 12/8/08
JMJ+OBT
Pax et Bonum!
ADVENT is a joyful and holy time the Church gives us to PREPARE to receive Jesus in a new and profound way each Christmas. We must understand that since JESUS IS GOD the event of Christmas is an eternal reality. Simply put, WE CAN RECEIVE THE GIFT OF CHRIST IN A NEW WAY EACH AND EVERY CHRISTMAS. JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.
God cannot be constrained by time and space. Christmas is not just an historical event. CHRISTMAS IS ETERNAL. You will receive Jesus, the gift of the Father's Love, IF you prepare and are open to receive the gift. Thus, Advent is given to us to prepare to receive Jesus. This preparation includes prayer and penance (ALL are encouraged to come to the Sacrament of Peace and Reconciliation, known by many as Confession, so that the Holy Spirit can prepare the way for the Lord).
To help you prepare to receive the gift of Jesus we will provide you with some reflections. First, pray and ask your Guardian Angel, Patron Saints, St. Joseph and all the Holy Angels and Saints to intercede for you and help you prepare. Furthermore, ask Our Lady and the Holy Spirit to help you receive Jesus because Jesus came to us through Our Blessed Mother Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. Now, prayerfully consider the following:
Reflection #1: We need to be watching for Jesus and looking to see what path He is taking to come into our hearts.
· The Holy Spirit will reveal obstacles which need to be removed from His path. Ask the Holy Spirit to remove these obstacles.
· Empty ourselves of the limited ideas of Who God is—He is beyond all knowing and greater than our greatest desires—stop projecting yourself onto Him—He is limitless.
Reflection #2: Ask yourself: What is the PURPOSE Jesus has for coming into my soul? The Divine Child seeks to:
· Establish His Kingdom and rule His Kingdom in my soul.
· To govern my heart and soul.
· To transform me from within and give me peace.
· To help me become more childlike.
· To better know His Mother and our Mother, Mary.
How is He doing these things? What else is He doing? How can I cooperate with this Divine action in my soul?
Reflection #3: Learn to WATCH in the Eastern sense of the word. WATCH as a servant watches and serves his Master. As we are watching Jesus on this path to our hearts:
· Be attentive to Him.
· Try to please Him in all that you think and do.
· Try to anticipate His desires.
· Practice the tender hospitality of a loving and attentive servant whose only desire is to please the Master.
· Ask: What does He need to be happy in my soul?
· Ask: What does He want to find there in order to be comfortable and want to remain in my soul?
Know that Jesus has a PLAN for this journey into your heart which includes:
· A particular PATH.
· A certain PROGRAM.
· A definite PURPOSE.
· A perfect TIMING.
CHART THE PATH through journaling. Begin in the heart. See His arrival on Christmas and ask yourself how He will get there. Where is He right now on this journey into the very depths of your soul?
We want to meet and even exceed Our Lord's NEEDS and EXPECTATIONS and we want Him to find DELIGHT in our heart and soul when He arrives. Ask Our Lady how to live as the beloved and please the Beloved of our soul, Jesus. We are praying that you have the most fruitful Advent of your life and the greatest Christmas of your life. Please pray for us.
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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
