Advent Reflection: December 16

Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11; Matthew 17:10-13

Today’s readings from Sirach and Matthew teach us that God uses signs in proclaiming the Kingdom.  John the Baptist, the sign par excellence, shows the way by the practices of prayer and fasting. Old Testament people believed that Elijah, another sign, would come first to announce his coming. John fills the role of Elijah and prepares the way for the coming of Jesus by preaching a baptism of repentance. As watchful servants, we too must prepare the way by turning from selfishness and whatever diminishes our living the way of the Messiah, a way of joy and peace, of contemplative awareness in the midst of a fast paced society. We are signs of the Lord by our silence and Sabbath living.

The Advent season reminds us also of the end times and is a reminder to us of our own death.

Mother Pauline prayed for a happy death:  

“Jesus awaken in me an ardent desire for you, for my heavenly home. O delightfully blessed moment, when this frail body collapses and my soul enters into the eternal rejoicing of the Lord” (1847).

“I am really looking forward to heaven, where in undisturbed bliss we can possess all those whom we love” (1855).

“O blessed, joyful hour of death! O inexpressible bliss of dying. My soul rejoices in rapture and delight at the thought of death, the bridal day of eternal life” (1850).

As we begin the novena in preparation for Christmas, let us be united as an SCC family in a spirit of quiet and reflection, stilling our minds and hearts in the midst of so much busyness and activity. During this novena, let us live in hope-filled expectation of the Lord’s coming now and at the end of time—both personal and universal.

Today, try to be a sign to others by making an effort to live a more contemplative lifestyle.  Additionally, pray the prayer for a happy death that was composed by Bishop Conrad Martin and read to him by Blessed Pauline as he was dying.