BAR 5:1-9
PS 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
PHIL 1:4-6, 8-11
LK 3:4, 6
Party Prep
Imagine that you’re hosting a dinner party in 2 weeks. And your guest of honor is a VERY BIG deal. Perhaps it’s your academic advisor, or a celebrity, or even the president and his family [maybe Trump or Obama or Pestello].
How do you get ready? Who else will you invite? You’ll want to clean your house [or dorm room!]. Iron your classiest suit or dress and shine up your fancy shoes. And don’t forget about the food! So much food!
You may feel some excitement and anticipation as you imagine these preparations. You may also feel some stress and anxiety-- how can you get it all ready in time?! What will you talk about? And you still have exams this week, and Christmas shopping, and holiday travel plans and…
Now imagine this: your guest of honor offers to come over early and help set up. Not just an hour early, but 2 weeks early-- saying, “I’m here for you. I just want to spend some time with you. I want to help.”
We’re 2 weeks from Christmas. It’s a holy time. We’re busy. Jesus is coming. And He’s here now. He will help us get ready for His coming. Maybe you feel like your room is a trainwreck. And so is your life-- and especially your spiritual life. He is here to help us. He wants to celebrate with us.
John the Baptist cries out to us, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”
Let’s focus on our hearts. That’s where Jesus wants to dwell, to live, to reign: in our hearts. Maybe we feel like our hearts aren’t good enough; they’re too messy, too damaged, too cluttered. In Bethlehem, He was born in a stable. So He’s not afraid of imperfect places. Imagine Mary and Joseph gently preparing a place for the Savior to be born in that stable. He wants to be born anew in us this Christmas. As we hear in the Christmas song, “Let every heart prepare Him room. And heaven and nature sing!”
And He will help us to prepare. He sees us and loves us. Here’s one thing you can do before Christmas: go to confession. It will take about 10 minutes. Maybe it’s been 6 weeks or 6 months… or 6 years. Let Him clear out the clutter from your heart. Let Him open a new space of love and life in your life. Confess your sins. Let Christ forgive you and set you free.
Confession is offered in the SLU College Church 11am-noon Monday-Friday; and Sunday 8-9pm.
Our guest is coming soon. He’s a big deal. And He wants to party with us!
Fr Joe Laramie, SJ is the Campus Minister in Spring Hall.
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