Beloved in Christ,
"All flesh shall see the Salvation of God" (Lk 3: 6). Let's continue from where we stopped last Sunday. Vigilance was the keyword last Sunday. The Scripture reminded us of the importance of vigilance or watchfulness for the coming of the Lord. As we watch and prepare for the coming of Jesus, we should ask a pertinent question: what awaits us after a lifetime of prayerful vigilance? The evangelist Luke gives us the answer. It is a divine promise: we shall see the Salvation of God. In the end, the purpose of our preparation for the coming of the Lord is the divine assurance that we shall fully experience God's redemption.
Is vision of the salvation of God enough reason for us to persevere in prayers and devotion in our preparation for the coming of the Lord? It is more than sufficient reason. The salvation of God is the fulfillment of our human aspirations and hunger. We are perpetually in need of God's healing and deliverance of our soul from eternal damnation, which is the consequence of sin. God saves and heals sinful souls. Sin distorts our lives. It creates a deep valley of horror and an unassailable mountain of sadness. Only the visit of God's mercy and love can make things right for our souls. Only by presenting ourselves before the healing grace of God will winding roads be made straight and rough roads made smooth. The necessity and possibility of God's salvation are what John the Baptist represents. He is the voice in the wilderness that Prophet Isaiah spoke about. He is the advent figure announcing "the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."
The vision of God's salvation should be an adequate reason for our contrition for sins and regular visits to the sacrament of penance. We are needy of God's salvation. God's mercy and love are without end. But if we do not acknowledge our need for his saving grace, we risk not beholding God's face. The word of God beckons us to go into the desert, where we see the actual state of our soul and our need for salvation. As we heed the word of God and listen to the voice calling us to a more profound friendship with God, it will be clearly shown to us the importance of striving to show ourselves pure and blameless for the day of Christ (Phi 1: 10). God wants us to approach his healing grace; he wants to purify us and make us worthy to stand ready for the coming of Jesus, and then he will joyfully show all the earth our splendor (Bar. 5:3). May we prepare ourselves constantly, and especially during Advent to behold the salvation of God. God wants to save our souls. How desirous are we for this grace?
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our country's patronal feast day, has been transferred to Monday, December 9. Although it will not be observed as a Day of Obligation this year, we should be eager to celebrate and benefit from the graces that accrue from doing so. The Mass of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is at 7 p.m. on Monday. All are highly encouraged to attend. We have two additional Marian feast days this week: Our Loreto (Tuesday) and Our Lady of Guadalupe (Thursday). Make it a priority to implore the help of our Blessed Mother in this triple celebration!
In His Hope,
Fr. Bernard Alayode, OP
"All flesh shall see the Salvation of God" (Lk 3: 6). Let's continue from where we stopped last Sunday. Vigilance was the keyword last Sunday. The Scripture reminded us of the importance of vigilance or watchfulness for the coming of the Lord. As we watch and prepare for the coming of Jesus, we should ask a pertinent question: what awaits us after a lifetime of prayerful vigilance? The evangelist Luke gives us the answer. It is a divine promise: we shall see the Salvation of God. In the end, the purpose of our preparation for the coming of the Lord is the divine assurance that we shall fully experience God's redemption.
Is vision of the salvation of God enough reason for us to persevere in prayers and devotion in our preparation for the coming of the Lord? It is more than sufficient reason. The salvation of God is the fulfillment of our human aspirations and hunger. We are perpetually in need of God's healing and deliverance of our soul from eternal damnation, which is the consequence of sin. God saves and heals sinful souls. Sin distorts our lives. It creates a deep valley of horror and an unassailable mountain of sadness. Only the visit of God's mercy and love can make things right for our souls. Only by presenting ourselves before the healing grace of God will winding roads be made straight and rough roads made smooth. The necessity and possibility of God's salvation are what John the Baptist represents. He is the voice in the wilderness that Prophet Isaiah spoke about. He is the advent figure announcing "the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."
The vision of God's salvation should be an adequate reason for our contrition for sins and regular visits to the sacrament of penance. We are needy of God's salvation. God's mercy and love are without end. But if we do not acknowledge our need for his saving grace, we risk not beholding God's face. The word of God beckons us to go into the desert, where we see the actual state of our soul and our need for salvation. As we heed the word of God and listen to the voice calling us to a more profound friendship with God, it will be clearly shown to us the importance of striving to show ourselves pure and blameless for the day of Christ (Phi 1: 10). God wants us to approach his healing grace; he wants to purify us and make us worthy to stand ready for the coming of Jesus, and then he will joyfully show all the earth our splendor (Bar. 5:3). May we prepare ourselves constantly, and especially during Advent to behold the salvation of God. God wants to save our souls. How desirous are we for this grace?
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our country's patronal feast day, has been transferred to Monday, December 9. Although it will not be observed as a Day of Obligation this year, we should be eager to celebrate and benefit from the graces that accrue from doing so. The Mass of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is at 7 p.m. on Monday. All are highly encouraged to attend. We have two additional Marian feast days this week: Our Loreto (Tuesday) and Our Lady of Guadalupe (Thursday). Make it a priority to implore the help of our Blessed Mother in this triple celebration!
In His Hope,
Fr. Bernard Alayode, OP
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