O LORD, grant salvation! O LORD, grant prosperity! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD; We bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and he has given us light..
The Alleluia refrain today gives the best synopsis of the readings and what they place on our hearts.
Light in the Darkness
The message is simple, yet it will take a lifetime to learn: we are whole in God. He gives us everything we need: our salvation, prosperity (His providence providing for us), and light in the midst of darkness. If we choose to live in His house, we must choose behaviors that strengthen us in His love. We must grow in virtue. And, we must become less cluttered, both in our possessions and in our minds. We must look for Him in our daily path. Also, we must acknowledge His love and salvation by being grateful for the people around us and for the trials in our day, where He is often hidden. We must look with eyes that truly see and with a heart filled with appreciation for His saving work.
God is near
The King is coming soon, our Savior, our Lord. As we enter these days of Advent, consider this: this Advent has never happened before. It is new. Unique. It is another gift to you and to me, another chance to draw close to our Lord, to the Father, and to the Holy Spirit. Let us sit quietly more often “in His house” and simply be with Him. Let His reality permeate us and purify our love.
This Advent is another call, another opportunity to respond. The Psalm gives us words of thanksgiving and humility as we enter into the house that will not crumble:
“Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD. This gate is the LORD’s; the just shall enter it. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior.”
