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Each Eucharist is the memorial of Christ« until He comes». The Liturgy of the Word
clarifies this memorial” God reminds Himself of his people
and gathers them together (1st Reading). It acts in us until the coming of Christ (2nd Reading).
Thus, it is by His gracethat we respond to the injunction of John (Gospel):
« Prepare the Way of the Lord ».
Word for today
W hat sublime and marvelous announcement at the house loved by God,« the spouse »! The announcement of an
astounding change of situation.« That which God has begun, he will continueuntil its accomplishment on the day thatJesus Christ will come ».
We believe it in spite of our sinand in spite of the wounds of life.It is faith that permits usto hear the immensemobilizing call:« Across the desert a voice cries out:prepare the Way of the Lord ». It is faithin the power of the love of Godwhich prepares this Way.
We read in the prophet Isaiah: « The voice of one who criesout in the desert: prepare
the Way of the Lord »! « Make straighthis paths ». The Lord wishesto find a way by which He may be able to enter into your hearts and lead you there…
« This voice comes first to the ears,after that, or rather with it, the wordpenetrates the understanding … What other way to preparefor the Lord? It is necessary to prepare for the Lord,an interior way and to trace in our heartsome routes, straight and united.There is the Way by which the Word of God entersin order to install itself in the human heart capableof welcoming Him.
(Origen, 2nd Century)…
The Word of the Pope
“The renewal of the Church is also achievedthrough the witness offered by the lives of believers:
by their very existence in the world, Christians are called to radiate
the word of truth that the Lord Jesus has left us.”
The Year of Faith, from this perspective, is a summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord,
the one Saviour of the world. In the mysteryof his death and resurrection, God has revealed in its fullness the Love that saves and calls usto conversion of life through the forgiveness of sins (cf. Acts 5:31).
Only through believing, then, does faith grow and become stronger;
there is no other possibility for possessing certitude with regard to one’s life apart from self-abandonment,
in a continuous crescendo, into the hands of a love that seems to grow constantly because it has its origin in God.
(Pope Benedict XVI)
Second step on our Way of Advent
We pray for all the workers of the missionwho daily prepare the Way of the Lord
in the hearts and who work to connect the persons;for all the persons in error, in captivity,
in suffering; in order that Christians announce joy.
