Sunday Next Before Advent, November 24th, 2024
At the very beginning of the epistle from Mass for the Sunday Next before Advent we hear to following: "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!
Join us at 10:30 AM on Sundays at St. Margaret church. We worship at the beautiful chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.
Please consider joining us for Mass. Come hear the Word of God found in the King James Version of the Bible and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. Consider setting aside an hour of your week where you can dedicate that time solely to God. Come hear the Word of God. Listen to God speaking to you directly and hear what He has to say for YOU! Receive the Precious Body and Blood at Communion time to be strengthened and nourished for your journey!
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