Advent is the time to wait for the Savior. The spirit of Advent is to pray and to implore. In striving to do this, we can learn from those who solemnly prepared the Savior’s way. Each of them had their own way of pointing out ways for us to prepare for the coming of the Lord.
The visitation of Mary to Elizabeth: “In those days, Mary got up and went hurriedly into the hill country, to a town of Judah, and entered Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.” (Lk 1:39-40). As we know, the distance from Nazareth to Elizabeth’s village is about 100 miles. If walking, it will take four days and four nights. But Mary went out in haste because she wanted to share the Good New with her cousin. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, even St. John in the womb had to jump with joy, the joy of salvation coming from Mary. Thus, to share the joy of salvation and to do charitable work are signs to prepare us for the coming of the Lord.
Elizabeth felt the spirit of transformation: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She exclaimed with a loud voice: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb.” (Lk 1:41-42.) When Elizabeth received the power of the Holy Spirit, she was so sharp with God’s grace that she recognized immediately who was blessed by God, namely Mary and her Son. Then Elizabeth prompted Mary to proclaim the Magnificat: Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Thus, to feel the spirit of transformation and to praise God are signs to prepare for the coming of the Lord.
Zachariah talked about his son, John: “And your child will be called the prophet of the Most High. For you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.” (Lk 1:76-77). John became John the Baptist later because he had helped people convert and come back to God. In order to receive the gift of forgiveness, we have to acknowledge who we are: sinners. We need the mercy of God and to immerse ourselves into the Love of God. Thus, to repent and to recognize God’s mercy are signs to prepare for the coming of the Lord.
My dear brothers and sisters, let us take time and meditate on the spirit of Advent so that we might experience the power of forgiveness and the mercy of our God.
May God bless all of us this Advent.
Fr. Thuong Hoai Nguyen, Pastor