We are presently in our fourth week of the season of Advent, a time of waiting. We are waiting for the most memorable event of our salvation history. The love of God was real to us, He was made flesh and dwelt among us. He became like us.
“…who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form…” (Philippians 2:6-7)
We can relate to this experience of expectant waiting. There is a wisdom in this waiting. In waiting we do a lot of preparation ourselves, offer sacrifices for a great cause, and practise patience for the coming of the Lord in our midst. Like the waiting expectation of giving birth, a birthday celebration, the result of a medical examination, a wedding day and so many other things, whether these are big or small events. All of these moments of our waiting have the same intensity of feelings and psychological impacts on our behaviour when it arrives. Positive or negative results, either way they affect us.
The waiting for our encounter with the Lord can occur in an unexpected way that many times will surprise us. We may not recognize Him. We must always stay awake and be ready – that is a call for us to react and respond.
On this Advent journey we walk with the Lord, side by side. The Church asks us to intensify our works of charity or giving alms to those who are most in need, plan to be faithful in our prayer and undertake, in any way that we can, fasting and abstinence for a good reason and purpose offered for God. All of our initiatives will be meaningful if it is for God’s glory. As we prepare exteriorly we are also preparing interiorly for the coming of the Lord’s birth.
Come, Lord Jesus, and dwell in our hearts!
Daughters of Divine Zeal Vocations 