In our readings today, we are privy to the wondrous good fortune about to fall upon Zechariah, Manoah, and their barren wives. Zealous but childless, they were resigned to their fate only to find God had other plans for them, those that led them out of despair and disgrace to play pivotal parts in Salvation History. Advent is the season of waiting and watching and with these newly pregnant, we too, wait with joyful anticipation for the coming of the newborn. Would that He takes birth in our hearts in a profound and powerful way this Christmas. Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus!
Consecrated to God
Samson and John the Baptist were consecrated to God from the womb. Samson was born to save Israel from the yoke of the Philistines. John the Baptist was born to pave the way for the Messiah, to preach a baptism of repentance and prepare a people fit for the Lord. They both took on the Nazarite vow, and Samson’s downfall came about when he broke the vow, allowing his famed locks to be shorn.
Spirit Led
What about us? Surely, we aren’t called to do anything quite as dramatic?
Our tendency is to shrug a shoulder or two and leave holiness to the chosen few. But we would be gravely mistaken. For we have access to the same Spirit that stirred Samson to mighty deeds of valor that left the Philistines quaking in their sandals. We are consecrated from the womb, just like John the Baptist and Samson. Apart from our natural procreation, the supernatural action of God is necessary to breathe our soul into existence. We are not accidents; we have a purpose far higher than we imagine. Our Lord invites us to a deeper communion with Him, constantly, perennially and all the time. But the response is personal and individual, for God is too much of a gentleman, never forces anything against our will. Take and Eat, says the Eucharistic Lord. We need to open ourselves up to His presence and receive Him into our bodies, allowing Him to transform us from within until we become imitations of Him.
Announce The Good News
I often feel that Advent is the forgotten season. We in America seem to zoom from Halloween to Christmas, with more than a hearty nod to Thanksgiving. It seems that we’re fixated on Christmas with all the myriad activities that go along with it, partying is such serious business, don’t you know! But we have to beware that our hearts don’t become drowsy with carousing. This waiting period of Advent is essential to us. Good preparation is a must for any crowning success, a pregnant mother needs three trimesters for the fruit of her womb to grow to its full stature. Our soul likewise has to expand during Advent to prepare for the coming of the newborn. Each Advent, Zechariah’s son does for us what the angel did for his parents. He announces the surpassing good news of Christ’s birth. May this be your best Advent ever!
We are living in this great time of National Eucharistic Revival – may we reconnect with Our Eucharistic Lord in a deeper way and stirred by the Spirit, pave the way of the Lord in our
hearts, in our homes and in the world at large.
Good job as usual D’Souza familia.
Keep ’em coming.