What Does It Mean To Be Prepared?
3rd Sunday of Advent
“Lord, come and save us.”Ps. 146
Jesus warns us many times about the need to be prepared for His second coming, for He will come when we least expect it. He gave the example of the thief who arrives unexpectedly, and of the flood that came when everyone was living their normal lives and swept them all away.
- To be prepared means to be on the path of life. The Lord wants to find us fulfilling our duty when He returns. He wants us to be in His ranks, among His disciples who glorify the Father by bearing much fruit. To be among those who received Him and received the gift of becoming children of God. To be among those who are in Peter’s boat, which is His Church.
- To be in a state of grace. No one is prepared if he lives separated from God through mortal sin. There is no better preparation than living reconciled with God. For those who live in sin, we can say that they are among those who did not receive Him.
- Being nourished by Christ — the Eucharist.
“Whoever eats my flesh… has eternal life”In 6:54
- Being united to Christ by living faith that works through love (Gal 5:6). Faith alone is not enough; it must be faith in action. To live in charity, which is the only thing that remains in the judgment (1 Cor 13:13; Mt 25).
- Being sheep of His flock.
“My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father has given them to Me…”In 10:27ff
- Belonging to His Church.
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the realm of death shall not prevail against it.”Mt 16:18
- Obedience to God’s will in your vocation.
“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words…”John 14:23ff
- Persevering in vigilance, waiting for the Lord with a humble and trusting heart. Whoever lives in grace, loves, serves, forgives, is nourished by the Eucharist, fights against sin, and fulfills his mission… that person is already prepared.
It does not matter if Christ comes tonight or in a thousand years: if you live united to Him, when the Bride- groom arrives, He will find you with your lamp lit.
Las Posadas – Explained!
Las Posadas, typically celebrated between Dec. 16 and Dec. 25, is a Mexican tradition which recreates the Holy Family’s search for lodging in Bethlehem. A novenario, or a devotion which extends over a period of nine days, Las Posadas is a celebration of anticipation for the birth of Jesus Christ, who seeks refuge in the heart of every man and woman.
Each night of Las Posadas, a couple portraying Mary and Joseph knocks on the doors of different homes looking for a place to stay. Traditionally, the Holy Family is accompanied by a procession of people singing hymns and bearing candles shaped piñatas are broken open.
Still practiced in Mexico today, Las Posadas has also become an important cultural and spiritual touchstone for communities of Mexican immigrants who have moved abroad.
Readings of the Week
Sunday: Is 35:1-6, 10/Ps 145:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 (see Is 35:4)/Jas 5:7-10/Mt 11:2-11
Monday: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17/Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9/Mt 21:23-27
Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13/Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23/Mt 21:28-32
Wednesday: Gn 49:2, 8-10/Ps 72:1-2, 3-4, 7-8, 17/Mt 1:1-17
Thursday: Jer 23:5-8/Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19/Mt 1:18-24
Friday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25/Ps 73:3-4, 5-6, 16-17/Lk 1:5-25
Saturday: Is 7:10-14/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6/Lk 1:26-38
Next Sunday: Is 7:10-14/Ps 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (7, 10)/Rom 1:1-7/Mt 1:18-24
Observances of the Week
Sunday: 3rd Sunday of Advent
Monday: Las Posadas begin
Next Sunday: 4th Sunday of Advent
