Reflecting on each of these will enrich our preparation for the holy season we are going to celebrate. Advent asks us to make an act of faith and hope—that God has come in history, He is with us now, He will come again.
Last week Fr. Marty reminded us that we live in in-between time, between Jesus’ 1st Coming & His 2nd Coming. In the in-between time He gave us The Eucharist to nourish us and the Church to help us grow in faith.
Take advantage of the small stuff of life, the traffic jams, long lines in stores, the buffering on our computer searches - anything that makes us wait; to slow down and remember God. "Whatever happens to you in the course of a day, for good or ill, is an expression of God's will." [Jean-Pierre de Caussade]
Instead of griping at your luck, smacking the steering wheel, or rolling your eyes in frustration, see the wait as a spiritual invitation to make this Advent a time of hope and prayer. Maybe this story can help us, in our Advent preparations.
“Linda Taylor was putting her three [little children] to bed. Suddenly Peggy who had just begun kindergarten, said “Mommy, if the world came to an end, right now …” Linda gulped & said a quick prayer for guidance; “Yes, dear,” she said, “go on.” Peggy said, “Would I have to take my library book back, or would it be okay to leave it at home?” Peggy’s innocent question & John’s invitation ‘Prepare the way of the Lord …’ reminds us to reflect on how ready we are to meet our maker? (Action, Cycle C, Sunday, Ordinary Time, p.300)
We are reminded that we should prepare for the end of the world, and/or the end of our life, by the way we live our lives! Living each day, we are given is our gift to our Heavenly Father, TRUSTING in God’s Providence for us and for our world.
Today let’s take a quick look at four people: Solomon, John the Baptist, St. Andre Bessette and Blesses Solanus Casey. In Advent God asks each one of us, “What do you want?” I would like to offer Solomon, John the Baptist, St. Andre Bessette and Blessed Solanus Casey as role models for us to answer that question. Solomon could have asked God for anything, but he asked for Wisdom so he could rule his people wisely.
John the Baptist asked people to listen to the message God gave him to share. Both St. Andre Bessette and Blessed Solanus Casey asked for an opportunity to serve God’s people. They were both porters/doormen for their religious congregations and their humble service helped thousands of people, and were responsible for numerous miracles.
More information about each man can be obtained by going to:
https://www.solanuscenter.org/about-us/get-to-know-fr-solanus
https://holycrosscongregation.org/holy-ones/st-andre-bessette/
C. S. Lewis observed, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” That is the Advent message we should ponder today, we should ask God for the courage and humility to do His Will.
In our Collect [Opening Prayer] Msgr. Sacks/Fr. Marty asked, “Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son .…”
For a few minutes, in silence, think about how you will answer God, “What do you want?”
May God Be Praised!
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