Sunday of the Second Week of Advent

Reflection

The first reading calls me to be active in my waiting for Christ. It is easy during the Advent season to be passive; to do nothing prayerful during Advent until Christmas comes and I attend Christmas Mass. But God is offering me “the splendor of glory,” and I must first take off my “robe of mourning and misery” to accept it.  He is handing me my salvation, but He never forces, and therefore I have to be active in my receiving of the gift of God in Christ. I must get up, “stand upon the heights” and look around to recognize the wonders God has done for me in my life. Sometimes this standing upon the heights is found when I sit in silence in the presence of God. My life is so hectic and noisy (especially right before Christmas) and although community prayer is a beautiful thing, oftentimes I find myself forgetting that I need my alone time with God. My love cannot increase, I cannot discern what is of value, and I cannot hear the voice of one crying out in the wilderness if I am never silent in His Presence.

I’ve heard a story of a journalist interviewing Mother Teresa. He asked what she asks God when she kneels before the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration. The following dialogue went something like this:    

“I listen,” she responded.

            “Then what does God tell you?”

            “He listens to me.”

Katie McNally, '14

Scripture

First Reading: Baruch 5:1-9
Psalm 126:1-6
Second Reading: Phillipians 1:4-6, 8-11

Gospel: Luke 3:1-6

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website