Moses told his people, “Take these words of mine into your heart and soul.”  He reminded the people of Israel and he reminds us that the most important thing in this life is our relationship with God.

The psalms urge us to pray to God, to ask God “… incline your ear to me, make haste to deliver me …. Let your face shine upon your servant; save me ….”   

We are encouraged to pray for the Lord’s presence in our lives; assured that God is with us. Advent is a time for us to remember that God is with us even as we prepare to celebrate His birth at Christmas.

Some scripture scholars tell us that in St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans is Paul’s theology at its’ best.  Paul teaches us that the initiative of salvation comes from God and that it is a free gift.

Our response to God’s gift of salvation, either nourishes our faith development or impedes our faith development.  Athletes who don’t regularly workout and compete will soon find their athletic skills deteriorate; the same hold true with the gift of faith.

Jesus tells us that “… only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven” will enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Being a disciple/follower of Christ is hard work.  It takes a commitment, a daily decision, followed by decisions made throughout the day to continue that commitment.

Advent is a time for us to think about what kind of spiritual house we are building?  Is it on the rock of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount or on the sands of consumerism and relativism?

May God Be Blessed!