Reflection for Monday, December 10, 2018

Monday of the Second Week of Advent

IS 35:1-10
PS 85:9AB AND 10, 11-12, 13-14
LK 5:17- 26

            Advent is such a beautiful time of the year! It is a time to joyfully and wholeheartedly prepare for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I, too often, get wrapped up in all of the Christmas music, and all of the Christmas excitement that I fall into the temptation of just skipping over Advent. I skip over all of the beauty that is in the season, and I jump directly to Christmas. But there are so many graces and so much awe in the season of Advent, so why are we so quick to bypass it all?

            In the first reading (Isaiah 35:1-10), the prophet Isaiah emphasizes on the joy that surrounds the fact that Jesus WILL come again. So often times, we solely think of Advent of a time of celebration of that fact that Jesus was born. This is 100% correct! Advent is a time to celebrate and rest in the fact that Jesus Christ humbled Himself to come down to earth, not because He had to, but because He wanted to. However, there is a whole other part of Advent- the fact that we are also preparing for Jesus’ second coming. The whole goal of Advent is two-fold, we are worshiping Christ and we are preparing for Him to come again, “Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God, he comes with vindication; With divine recompense he comes to save you” (Isaiah 35:4-6).

This same theme occurs throughout the Gospel and Responsorial Psalm for today. Jesus is here, He is present in our lives and He will come again to save us. So, are you ready for that coming? If Jesus were to show up on your doorstep today, would there be any room for Him? In the midst of bust schedules, overwhelming obligations, and quickly approaching deadlines- are you making room for Jesus in your life now? Advent is the perfect time to reevaluate how you spend your time and to reflect on the fact that Jesus is coming, do you have enough room in your heart for Him? In what ways can to better are hearts and be open to receive Him? Can I make time, even if it is only for five minutes, each day to recognize Christ and to sit in His presence?

“Behold the king will come, the Lord of the earth, and he himself will lift the yoke of our capacity.”

Carly Haynes is a Senior in the Doisy College of Health Sciences.