Living Catholicism: Advent: A Time of Preparation

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December 2, 2004

Advent: A Time of Preparation

522 The coming of God's Son to earth is an event of such immensity that God willed to prepare for it over centuries. He makes everything converge on Christ: all the rituals and sacrifices, figures and symbols of the "First Covenant".195 He announces him through the mouths of the prophets who succeeded one another in Israel. Moreover, he awakens in the hearts of the pagans a dim expectation of this coming.
523 St. John the Baptist is the Lord's immediate precursor or forerunner, sent to prepare his way.196 "Prophet of the Most High", John surpasses all the prophets, of whom he is the last.197 He inaugurates the Gospel, already from his mother's womb welcomes the coming of Christ, and rejoices in being "the friend of the bridegroom", whom he points out as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world".198 Going before Jesus "in the spirit and power of Elijah", John bears witness to Christ in his preaching, by his Baptism of conversion, and through his martyrdom.199

524 When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming.200 By celebrating the precursor's birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: "He must increase, but I must decrease."201

-Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Edition, pp. 131-132

Jesus is coming...are you ready? This is the question we must ask ourselves during this season of Advent, for it is the fundamental purpose of this time of preparation. The Catechism goes on to say:

1040 The Last Judgment will come when Christ returns in glory. Only the Father knows the day and the hour; only he determines the moment of its coming. Then through his Son Jesus Christ he will pronounce the final word on all history. We shall know the ultimate meaning of the whole work of creation and of the entire economy of salvation and understand the marvelous ways by which his Providence led everything towards its final end. The Last Judgment will reveal that God's justice triumphs over all the injustices committed by his creatures and that God's love is stronger than death.628
1041 The message of the Last Judgment calls men to conversion while God is still giving them "the acceptable time, . . . the day of salvation."629 It inspires a holy fear of God and commits them to the justice of the Kingdom of God. It proclaims the "blessed hope" of the Lord's return, when he will come "to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at in all who have believed."630

This call to conversion is something that we must live daily, not just during Advent. It is through this "daily conversion" that our lives become manifestations of the theological virtues (faith, hope, and love) allowing us to await Christ's Second Coming with eager anticipation and great hope. Failure to reform our lives should create in us fear, namely that fear of what might be lost. As Jesus said:

But know this, that if the householder had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect. - Matt 24:43-44

The real beauty of this season is that it can be that "moment of conversion." Advent, by its very nature, reminds us of our need for conversion, and it serves as a time of preparation and reflection. Christ provides us with the "gifts" to prepare ourselves in the Sacraments of the Church. Most local parishes have penance services during the Advent season. What better way to prepare yourself and your family than by the Sacrament of Penance? Advent is also a wonderful time to try making daily Mass a regular practice.

So let us prepare ourselves to meet the Newborn King with heart cleansed, saying Come Lord Jesus, come!.

May the Holy Family continue to bless and guide you and your family.

Posted by HolyFamily at December 2, 2004 9:06 PM