"Knowing
Jesus is the best gift anyone can ever receive, that we have encountered Him is
the best thing that has ever happened in our lives, and that making Him known
by our deeds and words is our greatest joy." Pope Francis
Our parish prepares this week for our Day of Mercy – a
moment to receive and experience the forgiveness of God. In the Gospel we are
told to prepare the way for the Lord. We are introduced to John the Baptist –
the forerunner of the Messiah. In our pace of preparation we can at times be
moving in such a way that we wonder if any of our tasks will ever be done. We can get so rolled up in the duties of the
day that the sense of the season is lost on us. Thus our mission must be
mercy. For in mercy we not only recall that which must be done at a pace of
peace in our own lives (keeping sane), but we also ensure that we are aware of
others in our life that still need us, depend on us, require us in their circle
during this time.
Our Advent hopes remains that we live knowing
Kindness Counts - being grateful is
essential to happiness - complaining has no place. Yet we know moments come
when we forget this; therefore Mercy must be present. This is where the
Sacrament of Reconciliation has a power of preparation to bring peace. It has the
ability to permit us to encounter Christ, receive His finest gift of
forgiveness. So much can keep us from the Sacrament; and yet so much can enrich
us by the Sacrament.
Remember last
week’s reflection on the Password of God? Gratefulness was key. It is an
ingredient of Mercy. If we have forgotten the password – Mercy is the hint to
get us in. To unlock the frantic pace of preparation and open the pace of peace
that brings the Season into perspective and allows us as the Gospel instructs –
to prepare the way of the Lord. To live
in a season of gratefulness at a pace of peace.