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| Lk 21:25-28, 34-36 |
HAPPY NEW
YEAR!
Today we celebrate a new Church year as we begin the four-week season of
Advent. We journey over these next four weeks with the Shepherds and Magi to
Bethlehem awaiting the birth of Jesus with joyful anticipation! Yet, in 2012 we
do not expect to find Jesus in Bethlehem, but rather, find Him re-born in our
hearts, in our faith community, in the poor, the Scriptures, and in the
Eucharist. This presence of Jesus is no less real than when He was born in
Bethlehem. Jesus is still alive and has promised that He will always be with
us.
In today’s Gospel Jesus challenges his disciples to be vigilant at all times, to stay
awake, alert and live intentional lives. Every decision we make, whether great
or small, forms us into the person that we are. Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism, reinforces this
same idea when he said, “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words;
they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habit. Watch your habits;
they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
What
is our destiny? Our destiny is communion with Jesus Christ. This Advent, a word
that means “to come”, we are called to be shaken awake to the idea that Jesus
is coming to be born in our hearts this Christmas if we choose to let him in,
not on the edge of our activities and beliefs, but at the center of our lives. Though Advent celebrates Jesus’ coming we are
also reminded that we too are coming into being throughout our lives. The
Season of Advent is an opportunity to remember that our destiny lies in
relationship with Jesus and that we must practice that relationship in our
thoughts and habits so that communion with Jesus becomes part of our character
and destiny.
Reflection and Discussion
Dear
Jesus, I will prepare a place for you in my heart during these four weeks of
Advent by...
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