Beloved, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent.
It feels like a time to acknowledge the ways that I grew as a disciple last year, and the ways that I did not. More importantly, it feels like an acceptable time to let the Lord turn some of the latter into the former. I don't know why I keep feeling like I'm missing out on something by denying what I've let myself think of as a part of myself. But I think it's time to trust that God provides for the things that really are needs, just as he has provided abundantly for us financially.
When I pray the fifth Sorrowful Mystery, I contemplate the Seven Last Words of Jesus on the cross, along with the last three Stations of the Cross. One of these is, This day, you will be with me in paradise. I'm reminded, too, of the words of Psalm 95: Today, hearken to the voice of the Lord. This day is the acceptable time, and while that is true of every day, it feels especially true of this wonderful season of Advent.
One day, though, we will find that all days are one this day.
When we remove all obstacles to his presence he will come, at any hour and moment, to dwell spiritually in our hearts, bringing with him the riches of his grace.
True, except. It makes it sound as if it's up to us to remove all obstacles, when the only obstacle we must - or can hope to - remove is our stubborn, selfish will. As soon as we submit that to him, humbly, even acknowledging when we can't accomplish it, but only want to, and recognizing that the wanting is a gift of the richness of his grace, too, we find him transforming our desert into an abundant garden of spiritual blessing. The more we cooperate with his grace, the more he blesses us, or rather, the more we can receive his blessings.
So this Advent season, the Church calls us to prepare for him the place that matters most.
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