Sunday Next before Advent, November 26th, 2023
"BEHOLD, the days come, saith the LORD . . . " (Jeremiah 23:5)
Our society is obsessed with upcoming events. For example, this time every year, we get constant reminders about how close we are to Christmas, courtesy of all the department stores, retail stores, online book stores, etc. Behold, the big sale is about to happen . . . . Behold, this sale won't last long . . . Behold, come and spend your hard-earned money here so that your loved ones will be happy at Christmas time. But these "reminders," in all fairness go on all year around, quite honestly. We are reminded on the nightly news about the upcoming summits, or upcoming sessions of Congress, or when a bill is about to be voted on. Even in our personal life, we have to deal with upcoming reports at our jobs being due, and upcoming doctor's appointments, and things to do around the house: whether they be preparing the house for winter or getting ready for an upcoming dinner. So, you see, we are constantly reminded of upcoming events and the days ahead . . .
But this is not what Jeremiah wants us to think about. In the "reminders" that I mentioned above, they are concerned with earthly, material things. And nothing is necessarily wrong with with the things that I mentioned: it's good to give gifts as a token of affection to loved ones; it's good to prepare your home for the winter; it's good for politicians to do their job, etc. But we have to keep everything in perspective of what is important. Jeremiah continues: "BEHOLD, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth" We need to be concerned with the coming of the Lord as Christians. We need to concern ourselves with making a place ready for Him when He comes. And, quite frankly, we can make that happen now! Yes, we can prepare our hearts for Him and prepare a place in our heart for Our Blessed Lord. You see, all of the daily routines in life have their place: the daily chores, preparation of meals, going to work, paying bills, etc. But there is one more daily "chore," and it should not even be called a "chore," it would be better described as a "daily necessity," . . . . and this "daily necessity" is time spent with Our Lord and preparing a place for Him in our hearts! As we come upon the liturgical season of Advent, the Church prepares for the coming of the Lord as a small innocent Infant. Let us also prepare our hearts for the coming of that small Divine Infant by making a place for Him to dwell. Get to know Jesus. Give Him your heart because He has already given His Sacred Heart to you!
St. Margaret Church worships every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM at the Chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.
NOTE: Keep in mind that we must enter in the main entrance of the lobby and sign in before we go to the chapel.
Please Join us as we gather together as God's family to: hear the Word of God; listen as God speaks to each one of us in our hearts; worship God in song and in word; listen to the King James Bible and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer; and, finally, receive Our Blessed Lord in Holy Communion so that we can be nourished for the journey we call life. Take one hour out of your busy schedule to worship God, to honour God, to acknowledge the need for God in your life. St. Margaret Church worships every Sunday morning at 10:30 AM at the Chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.
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