“SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”
Daily Spiritual Reflections
5th December 2021
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SUNDAY, SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
Bar 5: 1-9; Ps 126: 1-6; Phil 1: 4-6, 8-11; Lk 3: 1-6
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ARISE, MAKE WAY AND PREPARE!
‘Failure to prepare, is preparing to fail.’ A professor turned towards his graduation class, and said “‘E = R’. Does anyone know what that means? The class was silent.” The silence was representative of a certain reflection, astonishment, anxiety, eagerness, excitement and hopefulness, and it got everyone thinking. A young boy, with a sparkle in his eye, raised his hand and volunteered an answer. ‘Sir, would E = R mean that our ‘effort’ would equal our ‘results’?’ The professor nodded in the affirmative, pleased with the student’s response.
Indeed, the amount of effort we put into preparation will directly correspond to the tangible results that we achieve. However, as Christians who believe the truth that Jesus is Lord, we also have another force in our favour – the mercy, love and forgiveness of sins that comes from the precious sacrifice of the cross. What does this mean? It means that even if we fail in our effort, we have a way to see the glory of eternal life, through the sacrament of reconciliation, the fervour of contrition, and the overflowing mercy of God. Through these graces, our preparation is fortified and made perfect.
So, what does preparation at this time of Advent mean for us?
Preparation is a time of hope. Israel benefited from the hope, that God always performed marvellous deeds for his people. Remembering this, our hope is amplified in this season of Advent. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are hopeful of his second coming. We remember why he came. We rejoice that we are remembered by God. We must take off our robe of mourning – the loss of loved ones, the pandemic, economic instability, political unrest, inequality and corruption. And put on the splendour of the glory of God – the hope of the coming of our saviour. St John Paul II pleads with us Christians: “Never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.” Thus, we continue to hope and look forward to the day when every tear shall be wiped from every eye that seeks the face of God.
Preparation is a time of prayer. St Paul speaks about how much he prays for all of the church because of its partnership in the Gospel. You and I are part of this church. We too must pray so that he who began a good work in us will faithfully bring it to completion in us. Moreover, we pray that we may be found worthy of God’s good and holy mission till the end. Preparatory prayer will help us discern the things that are of value so that we may be pure and blameless on the day of judgement. Prayer for ourselves and one another fills us with the fruits of righteousness that come through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God. Mother Teresa urges us to develop a love for prayer. She says that “prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God’s gift of himself.”
Preparation is a time for penitent recollection. The earnest call of the son of Zechariah in the desert falls upon our ears just as powerfully today. Are we making way for the will of God in our lives or have we already decided its course? John went out everywhere to proclaim a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. It is not too late for us to heed John’s call. Preparation is reviewing our answers with an expert before proceeding forth. Have we run our thoughts, actions and plans by God? Have we considered that maybe we need to wait for his affirmation before proceeding forth? How about spending time seeking out his will this advent?
How about considering our indifference to God and being truly contrite while we hope, prayer and meditate? Like St. Therese of Lisieux says to us, “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.” In the context of the written works of St John of the Cross, we learn that “the endurance of darkness is preparation for great light.” And so, let us prepare, endure and hope deeply this advent, like never before, to receive the joy, peace and eternal gift of our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ
Response: What great deeds the Lord worked for us! Indeed, we were glad.
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