December 2, 2018 Sunday of the 1st Week in Advent-C
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25
1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from…the anxieties of daily life and that day catch you by surprise…” Lk. 21:34
Lord, this is the time of preparation for celebrating your birthday. No event is anticipated as much as December 25th. Retailers have been working for months to get their products ready. We invest so much energy and money into making sure all is ready: the tree is up, house decorated, gifts purchased and meals planned. So much must be done it can really stress us out! Would that we would work that hard and pay so much attention to getting our souls ready to welcome you. We have these next few weeks of the season of Advent to renew our spirits and to prepare the way so you can enter our hearts. Please help me to keep the distractions of the season from pulling me away from you. This time can be a stressful time for some. It will be a time of peace and joy if I focus on why we have Christmas in the first place. Lord, keep me alert to the graces you want for me during Advent. I wait with eagerness and hope for the fulfillment of your promises to me and all mankind. Our redemption is at hand. Amen.