General Theme:
Preparation for the coming of Jesus
 
General Objective:
Advent is the time for us to welcome Jesus, the Holy one of God
 
Objective of the week:
To practice the virtues of hope, patience, love and joy

​The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means ‘coming.’ This year we begin advent on 1 December and end this season of prayerful anticipation on 24 December.
 
Pope Francis in his Angelus message for the first Sunday of Advent in 2020, reminded us that “Advent is a time of expectation and a time of hope. Advent reminds us that God is present in history to lead it to its ultimate goal and to lead us to its fullness, which is the Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ. God is the 'God-with-us', God is not distant….  God walks beside us to support us….  He accompanies us through the events of our lives to help us discover the meaning of the journey, the meaning of everyday life and to give us courage when we are under duress or when we suffer."
 
Pope Francis in his Angelus message in 2018, explains that “Advent invites us to a commitment to vigilance, looking beyond ourselves, expanding our mind and heart in order to open ourselves up to the needs of people, of brothers and sisters, and to the desire for a new world.”
    
Advent is the perfect time to reignite our faith and start anew. It is a time to practice the virtues of hope, patience, and joy in our preparation to be ready for the coming of the Lord. We will reflect during this week of Advent some numbers of Gaudete et Exsultate (GE).
 
Advent is also a time to go to the sacrament of reconciliation as part of this preparation.
 
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, we continue our preparation for the coming of the Lord. Being aware that He “dwells among us” (Jn 1:14), let us address our prayer to Him as one Verbum Dei Family: “Maranatha- come Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20) and “Grant us your peace” (Jn 14:27).

As Pope Francis said on the first Sunday of Advent in 2013, it is a time to hope: "Just as in each of our lives we always need to begin again, to get up again, to rediscover the meaning of the goal of our lives, so also for the great human family it is always necessary to rediscover the common horizon toward which we are journeying. The horizon of hope! This is the horizon that makes for a good journey. The season of Advent restores this horizon of hope, a hope which does not disappoint for it is founded on God’s Word. A hope which does not disappoint, simply because the Lord never disappoints! He is faithful! He does not disappoint!"

Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
 
Isaiah 49:23
Kings will be your foster fathers,
    and their queens your nursing mothers.
They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground;
    they will lick the dust at your feet.
Then you will know that I am the Lord;
    those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”
 
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
 
Micah 7:7
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
    I wait for God my Savior;
    my God will hear me.
 
Romans 5:5
5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
 
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
 
Colossians 1:3-7
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant,[a] who is a faithful minister of Christ on our[b] behalf.
 
Advent is a season of hope, it is an invitation to renew our hope that might have been extinguished due to the many challenges we have faced. With the hard realities of the aftermath of pandemic and natural calamities that resulted in the economic crisis, with our present political unrest, with the experience of death in the family, of sickness, of loss of job and many more hard blows of life, it is truly easy to lose hope. It can cast us down. In moments like this, we become hopeless. However, in this Advent season, we are once again invited to look up and be filled with hope for the coming of our Savior who saves us from our hopelessness. He who is coming will lift us up. In Is 40:31 “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength”. This is a beautiful promise, that when we place our hope in Him, we will not be disappointed, we will constantly be renewed. Let us continue to listen to His words of hope in prayer this Advent season, so we can be hopeful and be messengers of hope to so many who are hopeless.
 

• What recent experience of hopelessness marked you? How did listening to His words lift you up?
• How can you be messengers of hope to others?

GE 159
We are not dealing merely with a battle against the world and a worldly mentality that would deceive us and leave us dull and mediocre, lacking in enthusiasm and joy. Nor can this battle be reduced to the struggle against our human weaknesses and proclivities (be they laziness, lust, envy, jealousy or any others). It is also a constant struggle against the devil, the prince of evil. Jesus himself celebrated our victories. He rejoiced when his disciples made progress in preaching the Gospel and overcoming the opposition of the evil one: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Lk 10:18).
 
GE 162
God’s word invites us clearly to “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph 6:11) and to “quench all the flaming darts of the evil one” (Eph 6:16). These expressions are not melodramatic, precisely because our path towards holiness is a constant battle. Those who do not realize this will be prey to failure or mediocrity. For this spiritual combat, we can count on the powerful weapons that the Lord has given us: faith-filled prayer, meditation on the word of God, the celebration of Mass, Eucharistic adoration, sacramental Reconciliation, works of charity, community life, missionary outreach. If we become careless, the false promises of evil will easily seduce us.
GE 164. The path of holiness is a source of peace and joy, given to us by the Spirit. At the same time, it demands that we keep “our lamps lit” (Lk 12:35) and be attentive. “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess 5:22). “Keep awake” (Mt 24:42; Mk 13:35). “Let us not fall asleep” (1 Thess 5:6). Those who think they commit no grievous sins against God’s law can fall into a state of dull lethargy. Since they see nothing serious to reproach themselves with, they fail to realize that their spiritual life has gradually turned lukewarm. They end up weakened and corrupted.
 
Ephesians 4:25-32
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
 
James 3:13-18
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 4:6-8; But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a]
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
1Jn 3:8; 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
 
The path towards holiness is not without challenges and temptations. The choice on how we live our life is up to us. Yet when we remain firm and turn to God in every struggle, suffering and temptation, He assures us of His saving power, His secure hand, a safe place in His presence. In this season of Advent, as we prepare for Christ’s coming, may we be fully aware of how we long to greet Him as a disciple who is clean and ready to accept Him.
 

• Do I turn to God when I face temptation to sin? Do I allow myself to be easily carried away by sinful desires and ways in life?
• In which situations/occasions of sin or temptation can I find a way or ways to come closer to God rather than allowing myself to fall for the traps of the devil?

GE 166
How can we know if something comes from the Holy Spirit or if it stems from the spirit of the world or the spirit of the devil? The only way is through discernment, which calls for something more than intelligence or common sense. It is a gift which we must implore. If we ask with confidence that the Holy Spirit grant us this gift, and then seek to develop it through prayer, reflection, reading and good counsel, then surely, we will grow in this spiritual endowment.
 
GE 169
Discernment is necessary not only at extraordinary times, when we need to resolve grave problems and make crucial decisions. It is a means of spiritual combat for helping us to follow the Lord more faithfully. We need it at all times, to help us recognize God’s timetable, lest we fail to heed the promptings of his grace and disregard his invitation to grow. Often discernment is exercised in small and apparently irrelevant things, since greatness of spirit is manifested in simple everyday realities. It involves striving untrammeled for all that is great, better, and more beautiful, while at the same time being concerned for the little things, for each day’s responsibilities and commitments. For this reason, I ask all Christians not to omit, in dialogue with the Lord, a sincere daily “examination of conscience.” Discernment also enables us to recognize the concrete means that the Lord provides in his mysterious and loving plan, to make us move beyond mere good intentions.
 
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
 
Colossians 1:21-22
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[a] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.
 
Matthew 5:23-24
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
 
"How can we know if something comes from the Holy Spirit?"(GE166)A very good question that we need to ask ourselves today. We are again reminded that a very good start when we pray is always to implore from the Holy Spirit to come and help us to understand the message of God to us from his words. How wonderful to say this prayer, " Come Holy Spirit, I need you. Come Holy Spirit I pray. Come like a spring in the desert. Come to the weary of souls. Touch me and make me whole." For it is the Holy Spirit that will guide us on how to discern. The only way to discover the gifts from the Holy Spirit, " is through discernment which calls for something more than intelligence or common sense."(GE166)How beautiful to note that the kind of prayer we learned from Verbum Dei is a good venue for this purpose. From here we can have that spiritual endowment. How privileged we are, if we oftenly exercise discernment to any situations of our life. Why? , because " the greatness of spirit is manifested in everyday realities!"(GE169) How are we today in our following as disciples of Christ Jesus? Pope Francis in GE169 emphasizes this, "I ask all Christians not to omit in dialogue with the Lord, a sincere daily examination of conscience." How good if we aim to have a clean heart and mind. The real manger where Jesus is desiring to lay down. For he wanted to be very close to us. The " Emmanuel, God is with us!" How to become one with him this advent season? Today we are reminded that Advent is a time for reconciliation with God and others. How is our relationship at home, workplace, school, and neighborhood? In 2 Cor. 5:20 says " Here we are then speaking for Christ, as though God himself were making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ's behalf: let God change you from enemies into his friends!" God wanted us always to have peace and goodwill to everyone. God is appealing to all of us today that our reconciliation to him will only be completed if we are also reconciled to our brothers, sisters and to all people around us. Who are the person/s that God is presenting vividly in front of you? Whom he is whispering loudly in your heart. Saying, " be reconciled with them, now is the great time!" As in Matthew 5: 23-24 that says, " So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, then come back and offer your gift to God."
 

• What is the beautiful proposal that Jesus is presenting to you today? Why?
• Are you open for reconciliation with God and others? How?

GE 140
When we live apart from others, it is very difficult to fight against concupiscence, the snares and temptations of the devil and the selfishness of the world. Bombarded as we are by so many enticements, we can grow too isolated, lose our sense of reality and inner clarity, and easily succumb.
 
GE 143
The common life, whether in the family, the parish, the religious community or any other, is made up of small everyday things. This was true of the holy community formed by Jesus, Mary and Joseph, which reflected in an exemplary way the beauty of the Trinitarian communion. It was also true of the life that Jesus shared with his disciples and with ordinary people.
 
GE 144
Let us not forget that Jesus asked his disciples to pay attention to details.
The little detail that wine was running out at a party (Jn 2: 6-9)
The little detail that one sheep was missing (Mt 18:12-14)
The little detail of noticing the widow who offered her two small coins (Lk 21:2-4)
The little detail of asking the disciples how many loaves of bread they had (Mk 6:37-39)
The little detail of having a fire burning and a fish cooking as he waited for the disciples at daybreak (Jn 21:9-12)
 
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
 
Ephesians 4:1-3
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
               
The Holy Family is our model of unity and love, where there is joy in simplicity and humility. Our family and the people around us are God's grace for us. Through them, we can exercise love and our love is measured by being patient and kind to them. If we claim that we love God with all our heart and soul, words are not enough to express that we love him because of the moments that we are spiritually good by our prayers, retreats, and preachings; yet, uneasy to be with haughty people. We are uncomfortable to be with children, loud and cranky people. We easily get irritated by circumstances or when our silence is disturbed.

The Lord has a beautiful reminder to each one of us that Jesus himself never gives up on us even to the point of rejecting him, but all the more his heart moves to pity when we tend to make wrong decisions to get rid of troubles and disappointments. Jesus the good Shepherd shows us how to be patient. He is patiently looking for the lost sheep, leaving the ninety nine just to find the lost one. See how risky it is to leave the flock, but when he found the sheep he cuddled it with great joy. (Mt.18:12-14) Jesus is inviting us to love ourselves because if we love ourselves, it reflects how we patiently love our neighbors. Jesus wanted us not to settle only in prayers but he wanted us to do more, walk extra miles with our prayer by living out what we have prayed for.

Like the little detail that the wine was running out at a party (Jn.2:6-9) There are moments that we ran out of "water from the jars" or shall we say ran out of patience. This is the moment that we seek Jesus and he is there for us telling us, "Fill your jar with water" and he will surely fill our jars, our hearts with precious wine. It is similar to the disciples who got tired of fishing the whole night that caught nothing, then Jesus said to them, "Throw your net out of the right side of the boat and you will catch some."(Jn.21:6). Then Jesus said, "Come and eat."(Jn. 21:12) Jesus is always inviting us to come and eat with him as we continue our spiritual journey. To eat with him is to nourish our soul to capacitate us to be like him, being loving, patient, kind, and compassionate so that we  can learn to accept individual differences and uniqueness. Let us hold on to Jesus who is the real treasure to sustain in loving ourselves and our neighbors. He is there for us at times we need him. Just like the poor old woman who dropped little coins in the Treasury temple from her poverty. Let us invest our life for Jesus, that from our busyness we must spare a little time for him and it is more than enough for him. In this season of advent, let us do more than our prayers to extend a little sacrifice of being loving and patient to the unloved and unaccepted ones.
 

• What is Jesus' invitation for me to do more during this advent season?
• Have I accepted his invitation to come and eat with him?

GE 123
The prophets proclaimed the times of Jesus, in which we now live, as a revelation of joy. “Shout and sing for joy!” (Is 12:6). “Get you up to a high mountain, O herald of good tidings to Zion; lift up your voice with strength, O herald of good tidings to Jerusalem!” (Is 40:9). “Break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and he will have compassion on his afflicted” (Is 49:13). “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he” (Zech 9:9). Nor should we forget Nehemiah’s exhortation: “Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (8:10).
 
GE 125
Hard times may come, when the cross casts its shadow, yet nothing can destroy the supernatural joy that “adapts and changes, but always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved” (Evangelii Gaudium 6). That joy brings deep security, serene hope and a spiritual fulfilment that the world cannot understand or appreciate.
 
GE 127
With the love of a father, God tells us: “My son, treat yourself well... Do not deprive yourself of a happy day” (Sir 14:11.14). He wants us to be positive, grateful, and uncomplicated: “In the day of prosperity, be joyful... God created human beings straightforwardly, but they have devised many schemes” (Eccl 7:14.29). Whatever the case, we should remain resilient and imitate Saint Paul: “I have learned to be content with what I have” (Phil 4:11). Saint Francis of Assisi lived by this; he could be overwhelmed with gratitude before a piece of hard bread, or joyfully praise God simply for the breeze that caressed his face.
 
GE 128
This is not the joy held out by today’s individualistic and consumerist culture. Consumerism only bloats the heart. It can offer occasional and passing pleasures, but not joy. Here I am speaking of a joy lived in communion, which shares and is shared, since “there is more happiness in giving than in receiving” (Acts 20:35) and “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7). Fraternal love increases our capacity for joy, since it makes us capable of rejoicing in the good of others: “Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Rom 12:15). “We rejoice when we are weak and you are strong” (2 Cor 13:9). On the other hand, when we “focus primarily on our own needs, we condemn ourselves to a joyless existence” (Amoris Laetitia, 110)
 
Isaiah 12:1-6
In that day you will say:
“I will praise you, Lord.
    Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
    and you have comforted me.
2 Surely God is my salvation;
    I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense[a];
    he has become my salvation.”
3 With joy you will draw water
    from the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say:
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done,
    and proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
    let this be known to all the world.
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
    for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
 
Philippians 4:4-7
 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 
Let us all rejoice and be more aware of God’s salvific action for all of us, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in flesh and dwells amongst us is something very especial and supernatural that we could never imagine and think of yet God is God, His overflowing Mercy and Love for us abounds. Let us all immerse in this most beautiful gift of God for all of us humans and engrave in our hearts the Joy that it brings. Let us all  proclaim and be forever grateful to God’s wondrous deeds and let it remain in us.
 

• Indeed this time is a time for Joy, what stops me from rejoicing at this beautiful season?

• Have I ever counted the many blessings I received from God this year? Did I ever pause and say thank you?

​1st Reading:                          Micah 5:1-4a
Psalm                                      Psalms 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
2nd Reading:                        Hebrews 10:5-10
Gospel:                                  Luke 1:39-45

General Theme:
Preparation for the coming of Jesus
 
General Objective:
Advent is the time for us to welcome Jesus, the Holy one of God
 
Objective of the week:
To intensify contemplative and transforming prayer in Advent
​

We are in Advent. We are preparing ourselves to welcome the Holy One, Jesus Christ who paved the way for us to be holy.

   Mk 1:23-24. Lk 4:34 “In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

   Jn 6: 67-69 Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?  Simon Peter answered him, Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

   Holiness is not a norm to follow or an external commitment. It means to live the style of life that Jesus lived. 1 Jn 2:6 “Whoever claims to abide in him ought to live [just] as he lived.”
​
   When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we are able to discover His life as the path of holiness for us to assimilate and to follow. That's why Advent is a time to focus more attention on Him, to give more time to prayer. From prayer we receive the lights on how to prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus in our lives during this time of Christmas 2024. With Him in our hearts we can continue our journey towards holiness.       
   We will continue taking for this week some number from Gaudete et Exsultate (GE) from Pope Francis. 

GE 147
Finally, though it may seem obvious, we should remember that holiness consists in a habitual openness to the transcendent, expressed in prayer and adoration. The saints are distinguished by a spirit of prayer and a need for communion with God. They find an exclusive concern with this world to be narrow and stifling, and, amid their own concerns and commitments, they long for God, losing themselves in praise and contemplation of the Lord. I do not believe in holiness without prayer, even though that prayer need not be lengthy or involve intense emotions.
               
GE 148
Saint John of the Cross tells us: “Endeavour to remain always in the presence of God, either real, imaginative, or unitive, insofar as is permitted by your works”. In the end, our desire for God will surely find expression in our daily lives: “Try to be continuous in prayer, and in the midst of bodily exercises do not leave it. Whether you eat, drink, talk with others, or do anything, always go to God and attach your heart to him”.
 
Psalm 62:1-6
1 Truly my soul finds rest in God;
    my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you assault me?
    Would all of you throw me down--
    this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 Surely they intend to topple me
    from my lofty place;
    they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
    but in their hearts they curse.[b]
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
 
Isaiah 55:1-3
“Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
    listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
    my faithful love promised to David
 
In this season of Advent we can be taken with so many concerns in preparation of the Christmas celebration. This same preparation however, may take us away from what is essential-our connection to Him who is to come. Prayer will connect us to Him and it is a beautiful invitation to find our “strength, peace, hope and rest with Him”. We can be very tired and stressed with many commercialized preparations this Christmas, but if we connect to Him, we will be reminded of what is essential: our spiritual preparation that will bring us the light and joy of forgiveness, peace, hope and renewal.  In one of a social media post that marked me it goes: “This Christmas season some families may not need to exchange gifts or presents, rather some may need to exchange warm hugs, smiles, non-judgmental gestures and forgiveness to each other”. This will happen  when we reflect our lives in prayer. As the line of the song goes: and so this is Christmas, and what have you done? Pausing and reflecting in prayer can truly pave the way to a more fruitful and meaningful Christmas.
 

• This Advent, what is the most essential preparation Jesus is inviting you to have?

• How can you pave a way to have a meaningful and fruitful Christmas for you, your loved ones and to those whom you are connected with?

GE 149
For this to happen, however, some moments spent alone with God are also necessary. For Saint Teresa of Avila, prayer “is nothing but friendly intercourse, and frequent solitary converse, with him who we know loves us.” I would insist that this is true not only for a privileged few, but for all of us, for “we all have need of this silence, filled with the presence of him who is adored.” Trust-filled prayer is a response of a heart open to encountering God face to face, where all is peaceful and the quiet voice of the Lord can be heard in the midst of silence.
               
GE 150
In that silence, we can discern, in the light of the Spirit, the paths of holiness to which the Lord is calling us. Otherwise, any decisions we make may only be window-dressing that, rather than exalting the Gospel in our lives, will mask or submerge it. For each disciple, it is essential to spend time with the Master, to listen to his words, and to learn from him always. Unless we listen, all our words will be nothing but useless chatter.
​
Deuteronomy 15:5
5 if only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today.
 
Isaiah 41:1
“Be silent before me, you islands!
    Let the nations renew their strength!
Let them come forward and speak;
Let us meet together at the place of judgment.
 
Jeremiah 7:23
23 but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.
 
In silence we can discern God’s plan for us. Sometimes, all we need is to cancel out the noise in our lives to truly listen to God. It is in silence that we can contemplate on what we truly need in our life and who we are meant to be. When we focus our mind and heart to what we are discerning, we discover that there is more to our life than our earthly desires. In this season of Advent, may the silence in our hearts help us to prepare for the joy that is to come.
 

• Have I given enough time to listen to God in the silence in my heart? In what ways can focus, remain and be with God in silence?

• Do I offer my difficulties in prayer to God? What everyday noises in my life can I close off to be able to listen to the Word of God?

GE 156
The prayerful reading of God’s word, which is “sweeter than honey” (Ps 119:103) yet a “two-edged sword” (Heb 4:12), enables us to pause and listen to the voice of the Master. It becomes a lamp for our steps and a light for our path (cf. Ps 119:105). As the bishops of India have reminded us, “devotion to the word of God is not simply one of many devotions, beautiful but somewhat optional. It goes to the very heart and identity of Christian life. The word has the power to transform lives”
 
Psalm 119:103-105
How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
    therefore I hate every wrong path.
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.
Is 55:6-11 6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
 
We thank God for giving us another advent season. A grace for another moment of waiting  for his WORD made flesh,"JESUS".The word of God of both "testimony of Jesus" (Rev 1:12) as well as"Jesus himself "(Rev 19:13). In Rev 19:9 says “Then the Angel said to me, 'Write this: Happy are those who have been invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb", And the Angel added, "These are the true words of God." This prophetic message given to John aims to keep us faithful to JESUS. This is a strong invitation for us to be very close to the WORD of God everyday. Because the word of God as in GE156 says "It goes to the very heart and identity of Christian life. The word that has the power to transform lives." Jesus is now reminding us again that we must be faithful to our prayer life. Why? Because his words are what we need for our journey of life as in Ps119:105 that says  "Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path.” How good it is if we always depend on our God by listening to his words. This is our nourishment and strength so that we can live our life according to God's purpose. As  Isaiah 55:1 says, "So also will be the word that I speak - it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do." What is the plan of God for us? That each one of us can also be the word of God made flesh. God needs us to be Christ of this present time. He hopes in us that his WORD will become flesh in our lives for others to taste and see the goodness of the Lord. Ps 119:103 says "How sweet is the taste of your instructions - sweeter even than honey!"
 

• How is your  prayer life nowadays ?

• Are you willing to be transformed by the word of God? Why?

GE 156
We need to remember that “contemplation of the face of Jesus, died and risen, restores our humanity, even when it has been broken by the troubles of this life or marred by sin. We must not domesticate the power of the face of Christ.” So, let me ask you: Are there moments when you place yourself quietly in the Lord’s presence, when you calmly spend time with him, when you bask in his gaze? Do you let his fire inflame your heart? Unless you let him warm you more and more with his love and tenderness, you will not catch fire. How will you then be able to set the hearts of others on fire by your words and witness? If, gazing on the face of Christ, you feel unable to let yourself be healed and transformed, then enter into the Lord’s heart, into his wounds, for that is the abode of divine mercy.

Luke 10:38-42
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
 
Luke 24:28-32
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
 
Luke 10:38-42 "Martha was upset over the work she had to do, so she came and said, "Lord, don't you  care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me." Many times in our life we are like Martha who are so anxious about many things in life. We focus more on our daily routines, jobs, finances, and problems without knowing that we have neglected our spiritual life. We are not vigilant to what is essential in this world. When Jesus is absent in our hearts, we are filled with insecurities, boredom, and disappointments. We tend to cling to the pleasures thinking that could heal our brokenness; yet, unaware that our soul is thirsting for the Lord. Now, is the season of Advent a time to ponder ourselves to what delights our soul? It is the time to open our hearts and prepare the way for the Lord.
 
( Lk. 24: 28-32 ) "Without recognizing Jesus, the apostles told him, 'Stay with us.' And so he went and stayed with them, took the bread, blessed it and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight." He disappeared because the Lord is within them, this event continues today to all disciples of Christ, to all of us. We have met Jesus by our faith. Let us recognize him and prepare ourselves to welcome him into our hearts. Jesus broke, and gave himself to us in the eucharist to live in us. Let us "stay awake" and not allow ourselves to become lazy or focus on worldly things and live in mediocrity so our life will not be burdened with insecurities. Let us ignite our hearts in prayer and return to God making our hearts his dwelling place.
 

• How do I become vigilant for the Lord's coming?
• How do I spiritually awake and open to the things of the Lord?

GE 154
Prayer of supplication is an expression of a heart that trusts in God and realizes that of itself it can do nothing. The life of God’s faithful people is marked by constant supplication born of faith-filled love and great confidence. Let us not downplay prayer of petition, which so often calms our hearts and helps us persevere in hope. Prayer of intercession has particular value, for it is an act of trust in God and, at the same time, an expression of love for our neighbor. There are those who think, based on a one-sided spirituality, that prayer should be unalloyed contemplation of God, free of all distraction, as if the names and faces of others were somehow an intrusion to be avoided. Yet in reality, our prayer will be all the more pleasing to God and more effective for our growth in holiness if, through intercession, we attempt to practice the two-fold commandment that Jesus left us. Intercessory prayer is an expression of our fraternal concern for others, since we are able to embrace their lives, their deepest troubles and their loftiest dreams. Of those who commit themselves generously to intercessory prayer we can apply the words of Scripture: “This is a man who loves the brethren and prays much for the people” (2 Mac 15:14).
 
Matthew 8:5-13
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
 
Matthew 7:7-8
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
 
Mark 10:46-52
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
 
In this advent, let us ask Jesus for help, guidance, and intervention in preparing ourselves well for His coming. Let us pray for healing, forgiveness, and a clean heart in this time of Advent so that we may be capable of receiving Christ himself. Let us also pray for the goals of our respective families and our common goal in the Verbum Dei family. Advent is a perfect time for us to ask for the grace of humility, faithfulness, hope, openness, oneness, and abandonment of self to and for Jesus Christ. Let us recognize the compassion and mercy of Christ in every prayer of supplication, and with faith He will hear and grant us according to His will what is best for us. Let us also recognize that supplication can lead to our spiritual growth, self-awareness, and profound sense of belonging within the Catholic Church. May our prayers for supplication lead us all to holiness.
 

• What is prayer for supplication for you? How does it help you?
• Who are the concrete people that the Lord invites you to pray for in this time of Advent? What are your prayers for them? What does your heart desire to ask Jesus for yourself in this time of Advent?