Advent also refers to the Lord’s coming here and now into my life by grace. He never gives up in His constant call to conversion. Each of us must examine his conscience in the light of God’s unchanging law, in order to find out our sins to bring to the Lord for His loving and merciful forgiveness. Jesus wants us to be rid of the darkness and sadness that sin brings. That is why we hear during these days of Advent the prophet Isaiah, calling out to us: “Prepare the way of the Lord!”
Turning from the darkness of sin is never enough for the Christian. We must also turn toward Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. He wills to dwell within us in greater intimacy, enlightening, strengthening, guiding, and sharing His peace, joy, and love. Isaiah assures us that, “Like a shepherd He feeds His flock; in His arms He gathers the lambs.” We experience this coming to new life through Baptism; and, especially, in our devout participation in the Holy Eucharist, particularly when we receive Holy Communion. Our spiritual lives need nourishment.
In this whole process, Jesus gives us the grace we need to know our sins, to be sorry for them, to seek forgiveness, to receive His healing, and to celebrate joyfully His Birth and our rebirth. Often, in the spiritual life the obstacle is our attitude. We can become smug and complacent. We can focus more on the sins of others, instead of our own. We can become presumptuous about God’s grace, falsely thinking that all comes readily and easily with little effort. There never was and there never will be cheap grace. St. John the Baptist shows us the attitude we must have before the Divine Savior. How many saints have often said: “I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of His sandals?” My favorite is the expression of St. John, “He must increase, and I must decrease.” That is the sure way to the new heavens and the new earth.
Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor