“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.” – LK 10: 23

 

We have entered into the newness of the Church Calendar with the start of Advent.  Today begins a new month, December, the last month of 2020, and I am sure many are saying, “Amen” to getting out of a very trying year.  However, we cannot make it go any faster and we are called to make the most of each day given to us.  This period of Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparing.  We are not just to get ready for giving gifts, sending out cards, making cookies and planning for parties.  These are great traditions, but we are called to use this time for planning and observing the coming of Jesus.  Not just His coming into the world at the stable in Bethlehem but for the Second Coming of Jesus in His Glory.

 

In today’s Gospel from St Luke, Jesus has great joy and delight for all of us who have received all that God has revealed through Him in a childlike manner.  Remember, that Faith is defined as accepting all that God has revealed in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and by the teachings of the Magisterium.  This acceptance is done through innocence, trust and in a way that is well suited for each of us as God originally and carefully planned.  Jesus knows how important this is and even uses the word “praise” in expressing His joy and admiration for what God the Father has made available for all who believe in the Good News!!

 

What do we hear from the world? Much of the world has already started to celebrate Christmas, but we are not to jump ahead of the Lord but wait for His coming by preparing our hearts.  We have been given this time to do just that.  Through Jesus we can personally know the Father and be united with Him.  Jesus makes a claim which no one else can. He is the perfect revelation of God. Our knowledge of God is not simply limited to knowing something about God, who He is and what He is like. We are called to know God personally and be united with Him in a relationship of love, trust, and friendship. This time of Advent is for us to reflect and contemplate how to do this.  Jesus makes it possible for each of us to personally know God as our Father. To see Jesus is to see what God is like. In Jesus we see the perfect love of God.  A God who cares intensely and who yearns for each of us.  Today Jesus tells us that pride will hide this and only humility will expose it.  Pride is the root of every sin and evil we can conceive, so humility is the only soil in which the Grace of God can take root, it is just that simple.

 

Blessed indeed are our eyes! (Lk 10:23) If we can respond to this Good News with a childlike sense of awe and wonder, we will be prepared for Christ’s coming. Let us ask the Lord for the blessed eyes of a child.

 

"Lord Jesus, give me the childlike simplicity and purity of faith to gaze upon your face with joy and confidence in your all-merciful love. Remove every doubt, fear, and proud thought which would hinder me from receiving your word with trust and humble submission."

 

May God’s Grace and Blessings Always be with you and yours!!  Our Lady of Guadalupe – Pray for us!!

Yours in Christ,

Deacon Bob

St. Clare of Assisi

Houston, TX