Be Alert

If only you had been alert to my commandments, your happiness would have been like a river, your integrity like the waves of the sea.

Is.48:18

God laments the apostasy of his chosen people. They have turned their backs on happiness and integrity. What does this leave? Sadness and unfaithfulness.

Sadness and unfaithfulness are common maladies. The antidote is alertness to God's commandments, to his Word. These are not dusty and outdated rules. They are the key to happiness and faithfulness, things the world craves. 

Stay awake! Be ready! The cry of Advent calls for alertness to God's commandments. When I am alert, happiness and faithfulness are mine... today.

Lord, help me be alert to your word, your voice, today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Hope in the Lord

I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Hope in him, hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord!
Ps.26.13,14

The psalmist sings of his hope and expectation of the coming of the Lord.

This is the anthem of Advent. Hope in Him, Take heart. Hope in the Lord. People hope in so many things, other people, circumstance, plans and dreams. But for me to take heart, to be strong and courageous in faith, my hope is in the Lord.

I take this Advent hope into my day.

Oh come Lord Jesus come. I place my trust in you.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Peace on Earth

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.

Ps.22:1-3.

David's great psalm portrays the destination of our Advent gaze, green pastures, still waters.

I'm looking out over the green spring pasture of a school sports field as I write. The morning sun is sparkling in the dew. Green pastures, still waters. There is a promise of peace and rest. This promise is mine to take into my day.

Jesus, you give me peace this morning. Help me be an agent of peace to all I meet today.

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me. 

 

Maranatha!

The wolf lives with the lamb, the panther lies down with the kid, calf and lion feed together, with a little boy to lead them.

Is.11:6

Isaiah prophesies the glorious arrival of the "Root of Jesse" and the change of world order from aggression and destruction to joy and peace.

This wonderful season of Advent is a time of preparing the way, of expectancy, of straining forward to something glorious just over the horizon. Isaiah describes who and what it is I am preparing, expecting, straining. Jesus' return.

Christmas celebrates Jesus' first coming. Advent anticipates his second. This is the source of my optimism and joy. 

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus come!

Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

 

New Heaven New Earth

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the holy city, and the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, as beautiful as a bride all dressed for her husband.

Apoc.21:1,2

Saint John sees the book of life being read for every soul that ever lived for the final judgement. The old world is then cast into the fiery lake and a new heaven and new earth, a new creation, comes from heaven for those judged worthy.

This vision is truly apocalyptical, depicting total destruction of the world. Yet it finishes with a great promise of eternal glory. This reminds me of the final book in the Narnian Chronicals, The Last Battle. C.S. Lewis describes the children entering a new world that is strangely familiar. They finally realise it is the old Narnia but so much more beautiful and clear and perfect, made of colors yet unseen, fruit with flavors yet untasted. More importantly they recognise Aslan who has turned into someone who is the perfection of his former lion-self.  

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus come!
Saint Philip Neri, pray for me.

Satnd Up and Lift Your Head

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.

Lk.21:27,28

Jesus is preparing his disciples for the end of time. While unbelievers faint with fear, we the Church are to stand up and lift our heads. Why? For our Savior draws near.

This is the great message of hope from Jesus. The time where every tear will be replaced with shouts of joy is a promise from him. And Jesus keeps his word. This is a foundation stone for my joy today. No matter what happens, Jesus will return and I can stand and lift my head.

Thank you Jesus for your promise of liberation. I stand on your promise today and claim the joy it brings into my world.

Saint Philip Neri, patron saint of Joy, please pray for me.

 

Cry Out with Joy

Let the land and all it bears rejoice, all the trees of the wood shout for joy at the presence of the Lord for he comes, he comes to rule the earth. 

Ps.95:13

The psalmist sings of God's return at the end of time to rule and judge all the world.

Nearing the end of the calendar year the Church has us again focusing on the end of time. Here we learn there will be a great cry from everything and everyone when Jesus returns. For some it will be a cry of horror, for others a cry of joy. The surety and finality of end times judgement will not escape anyone.

What can I do to ensure my cry will be one of joy? Again I am reminded of Jesus' parable of the sower where he describes the rich soil as "people with a noble and generous heart who hear the Word and tend to it". The fruit of a noble and generous heart is to hear God's Word and act on it. 

So, to be found acting on God's Word is a good place to be when Jesus returns. He may return today...

Lord Jesus, I want my cry to you when you return to be a cry of joy. Give me courage and strength to act on your word, to tend to it today.

Saint Andrew Dũng-Lạc and Companions, please pray for me.