This morning’s second Reading in the Office of Readings was a very appropriate one to have at the beginning of Advent. Just consider this thought of S. Charles Borromeo’s :
In his infinite love for us, though we were sinners, he sent his only Son to free us from the tyranny of Satan, to summon us to heaven, to welcome us into its innermost recesses, to show us truth itself, to train us in right conduct, to plant within us the seeds of virtue, to enrich us with the treasures of his grace, and to make us children of God and heirs of eternal life.
As S. Charles says in the Reading, the Church uses Advent to urge us to renew our memory of the great love of God which Christ showed us in His life; and he also reminds us that His love was not only for those of His day, but also for us : and that His power has still to be communicated to us all.
It is for this that we should gladly accept the grace Christ earned for us, and live by that grace and in obedience to Christ; and we must keep that vital fact in our lives day by day : for as S. Charles said, when we remove all obstacles to His presence He will come, at any hour or moment, to dwell spirituality in our hearts - a change which will surely move us even closer to our Blessed Lord, as by His spiritual dwelling in our hearts He will also be bringing with Him the riches of His grace.
This, surely, will help us be ready to be with God not only spiritually during our lives, but also hereafter to be with Him practically in heaven : which is a very valuable thought to get firmly into one’s mind right at the beginning of Advent . . . and perhaps I’m not alone in thinking that it’s a particularly appropriate thought, also, as one for the beginning of the new life which fr Austin OP has begun today.
Please, as well as pondering these words of S. Charles from the Reading for yourself at the start of this Advent, give a moment or two of your time to pray for him.
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