"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call him while he is near." (Isaiah 55: 6).
The Gospel acclamation today, Thursday in the First Week of Advent is direct in its message. Advent is a season of anticipation, expectation and waiting. When you expect something, as you grow in wisdom, you learn to wait for it. When I was an inexperienced air traveler. I arrived at the airport at the stated time expecting the flight to leave exactly at the stated departure time. Needless to say, it doesn't happen always. I would be frustrated. When I became more experienced, I planned to wait. I bring along some work or books. The Gospel intimates us that there will be delays in the Second Coming of Jesus. It will come without warning like a thief in the night or spring open like a trap.
Lent and Advent are two Seasons most favorable for divine favors:
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call him while he is near." (Isaiah 55: 6). It is like handing you a cheat sheet for an exam. Use it, you pass.
How do we prepare for Advent?
#1. Prayer: If you don't do the Liturgy of the Hours already, this is a good time to start. The Liturgy of the Hours is found in LAUDATE and is also available in other apps in all platforms. Prayer is a vital necessity. When you pray with the Church using the Liturgy of the hours (about 10 minutes), you participate in a prayer used by millions all over the world. You are comforted to know that this Prayer goes to the very beginning of the Church. Jesus most probably prayed the Liturgy of the Hours. All the clergy and all religious are bound to this prayer by Church. Today many lay men and women pray it.
"Prepare our hearts, we pray, O Lord our God, by your divine power,
so that at the coming of Christ Your Son we may be found worthy of the banquet of eternal life and merit to receive heavenly nourishment from his hands.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever." (Collect Wednesday, 1st Week of Advent).
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