By Ainish Philip
As we await for the Word to become flesh among us (John 1:14), let us observe a few things we can do this Advent season.
Word of God : Just as we need food for our bodies to energize us, we need God’s Word everyday as food for our soul. If we are continually fed with God’s Word, we will never be starved spiritually. Jesus said, “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63). As we read and meditate on God’s Word, the Word will stay in our heart and keep us away from sin. “ I treasure your Word in my heart so that I may not sin against you”(Psalm 119:11).
Temperance: At a time when consumerism is on the boom and people splurge a lot during holidays, let us practice temperance by shrinking our appetite for buying. The Holy Family is the best example we can emulate. The Son of God was born in a stable. A stable! We see that in the lives of saints too. St. Francis of Assisi taught us by his simple life how to detach from material goods in order to attach to Jesus. Some other things which can be moderated by observing temperance includes excessive usage of cell phones, music, TV, certain foods, and even computer games.
Gratitude: Advent is a good time to recollect and be thankful to the Lord for the many blessings he poured out on us throughout the year. Most of us thank the Lord on the night of December 31st. Instead, thank the Lord at all times for the wonderful things He has done for us. In 1 Chronicles 23:30, King David encourages us to “Stand every morning, thanking and praising the Lord and likewise at evening.” In other words, thanksgiving should be an attitude of our day to day life. Simply by thanking the Lord makes us aware of His continual presence in our lives and brings us closer to Him.
Holy Habits : Cultivate holy habits. One of them is simply taking the name of JESUS throughout the day. The Apostles worked miracles and brought about conversion among the people in the Name of Jesus. St. Paul mentions the Name of Jesus in his epistles more than two hundred times only for the love of Jesus. St. Bernard says, “ The Name of Jesus is like honey in my mouth. It fills my soul with peace, love, and joy.” By taking the Name of “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!”we will find ourselves united to Jesus in love and free from all worries and the day.
Marian Devotion: Advent is surely a time to meditate on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary and thank God for the gift of the Blessed Mother Mary who brought Jesus into this world. One simple way is to pray the Hail Mary whenever we get time during the day. Once, St. Gertrude had a vision of Jesus placing a golden coin on top of a pile of other golden coins. When St. Gertrude asked what the vision meant, Jesus explained that whenever she prayed a Hail Mary, He was storing a golden coin for her in heaven! This Advent season, let us prepare our hearts for Jesus just as our Blessed Lady did.
Be Holy! Be on Fire!
Stay in peace. Stay with Jesus.
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