"Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever." - Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 72)
The King of Peace is coming! What a frightening thought and yet also encouraging at the same time. In these most challenging times, to find peace we must hold fast to the promise that the Lord is coming. Many people are talking about Christ coming soon, as they did in the writings of the New Testament, waiting, expecting that Christ's second coming would happen in their lifetime. Now is a time to prepare physically, emotionally, spiritually, even liturgically.
During this time of Advent, we prepare for the coming of the Lord. We clean and decorate our house. We move things around to fit the Christmas tree, which is a symbol for Christ-- symbolic for the tree of life mentioned in Genesis 2:9, according to St. John Paul II in 2004. Personally, it is a time to prepare our hearts, minds and souls for His coming. A time to get our house ready for His coming at Christmas, in His second coming, and His coming to us every day in the Eucharist in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
How are you and your family preparing for the coming of the Lord? Will you invite others to prepare as well?
Lord, Light of the World, King of Peace, enlighten our minds and hearts to how best to prepare for Your coming, and embolden us so we may joyfully and Courageously live Your Gospel of Love.
Reflection by:
Tina Ver Pault
Did You Know...
Tina VerPault was born and raised in Boston. Tina is one of the youngest of 14 children. She is blessed with 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren whom she loves dearly. A long-time parishioner of Resurrection Catholic Church in Riverview, she has served as a parish secretary and director of religious education, as well as many other ministries, since 2003. Tina was commissioned as a Lay Pastoral Minister and encourages everyone who would like to deepen their knowledge of our faith through the LPMI at the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
