The Only Thing that Matters
We all have dreams and aspirations that are most often set aside in order to pursue something else that we have mistakenly deemed more important—usually it’s money, security, or comfort. But what is the meaning of life? What is your purpose here? What matters most to you?
“The only thing that matters is to be a saint. That’s what we need to be. That’s what we need to become.”
~ Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia
I love that! You need to become a saint. Straight forward and simple. But unfortunately we make it impossible on ourselves. We hold the saints up to a different standard than we do ourselves, just as we expect priests and nuns to be much holier than we are, when in fact, we are all made to be saints. I’ve mentioned in other posts the importance of being in constant pursuit of holiness, but it is easy to look at sainthood as something eternally out of your reach. This perspective is damaging to you and it’s damaging to the Church.
Thank God for Making Us Wait
Advent means “coming” and is our official time of waiting, of preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ on Christmas. It’s happy, it’s colorful, it’s liturgical, but it has deeper, more profound meaning than we often give it. As Christians we all believe that Jesus is coming back—when, where, and how are details that we shouldn’t be concerned with.
“He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.”
~ Nicene Creed
We believe He is going to come again at the end of the world or at the end of our own lives, either way it’s important to be prepared. Not by stockpiling material resources in a bomb shelter, but by purifying your soul. When Jesus warned the disciples of this—often with apocalyptic, symbolic language—it wasn’t to scare them. How many times does Jesus tell them “be not afraid”? It’s not about fear, it’s about being prepared.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”
If you knew the exact time and date that He was coming you would live your life as you wanted, then repent at the last minute. You’d procrastinate. You’d fake it. But by purposely leaving us in the dark about when He would come, He assures that we will live constantly in preparation for His return. You should live each day as if it was your last.
A Saint-Making Season
Now the Church has given us the season of Advent in order that we might recommit ourselves to Jesus, renew our faith in him, and reconnect with the God who loves us. It’s a beautiful time of the liturgical season in which the Church in her wisdom acknowledges that we often fall into routine and need a push back in the right direction, a challenge, a reminder.
Advent gives you the opportunity to start over, to make necessary changes in your life in order to make sure there is still room for Jesus. In our post-modern, materialistic, American culture it has become highly commercialized and most people have their minds set on buying “stuff” for their friends and families. Not to say that you shouldn’t give gifts, but does your gift giving get in the way of receiving Jesus? Does Santa come before Jesus? Do presents take the place of prayer?
It’s important to reflect on these questions and more during your Advent preparation.
- Enjoy the beauty of Advent by exploring the reason for the season: the Nativity sets, Advent wreaths and calendars, the Spirit of love and generosity.
- Realize that Advent is a saint-making season. Haven’t you noticed that people are often more friendly, caring, loving, peaceful during this month? That’s a great thing. It’s a foretaste of Heaven. It’s God’s love working in our souls.
- Challenge yourself to go out of your way to bring joy, love, and peace to those who are such dire need of them this Advent.
- Prepare your heart and your home to receive our humble Lord. Clean up the mess, ridding yourself of the things that get in the way of Him making His home in your heart.
“Be a saint! What else is there?”