“The days are coming … when I will fulfill the promise"
Jer 33:14a
Advent is the time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of something greater than the present time portends, as today’s readings lead us. Jeremiah, while Judah is amidst the Babylonian domination and exile, proclaims the prophetic vision of “The Lord our justice” who will rise from the line of David. St. Paul tells the Thessalonians to strengthen their hearts for the coming of Jesus by conducting themselves in ways pleasing to God. And in the Gospel, Our Lord tells the disciples that they (we) will not be able to tell the time of the great coming; therefore, “be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength…”.
This my friends are the ways of expectant waiting. Yes, we know in a short 4-weeks’ time we will celebrate the birth of our Savior, from David’s line. But do we have the strength to endure today’s trying times? My Advent prayer, and I invite might be your prayer also, is to adopt the expectant waiting ways spoken in today’s readings so “that your hearts do not become drowsy … and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Lk 34a, 36b).
Will I live this Advent in expectant waiting?
From today’s Advent lighting ceremony, “All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven.” Amen.
Today's Reflection is by:
Alan Gauzens
Did you know...
Alan Gauzens is a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Dunedin. There, he is a lector and active in men’s ministries including the Knights of Columbus, That Man Is You! and Tap Into Discipleship. A 2019 graduate of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute, Alan and his wife Joanne have been married for 40 years and are blessed with 4 children.
