Readings: Is 63:16-17, 19; 64:2-7; 1 Cor. 1:3-9; Mk 1:1-8
An Advent people; watching, waiting and prepared to
receive the best gift God can ever give. But first a story. Some years ago
there was some breaking news on TV that to me seemed to be a wonderful example
of being spiritually prepared. The news was about a man in Memphis, Tennessee
who accidentally walked into a store during a robbery. The gunman pointed his
pistol at him and ordered him to hand over his money. The man responded calmly,
“Go ahead and shoot. I just had my prayers and Bible reading.” The robber was
confused by that reaction, and the man walked away without a single shot. I
have to admit that I probably would have handed over my money, but I do admire
that man’s courage – and above all his apparent readiness to meet the Lord.
That is what Jesus tells us today. Be prepared. Be alert and watchful. On this
First Sunday of Advent, we begin a journey of preparedness; a journey to
becoming truly an advent people; a people actively engaged in their faith and
hope for the one who comes; a journey that leads us to understand why Jesus
comes into the world and into our lives. During these four weeks of Advent, the
Sunday homilies will focus on how you and I can become more involved in our
parish life, and so be transformed as we wait for the coming of the Lord at
Christmas. The homilies will make use of ideas from Matthew Kelly’s book: The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic.
The reflections and stories in this book are captivating, engaging and
transforming.
In the Gospel from Mark, Jesus offers a brief parable
highlighting the importance of being watchful and spiritually prepared. The
point of the parable is that you and I as disciples and stewards of Jesus
Christ are called to be the best version of ourselves, and so be transformed
into more dynamic and more engaged Catholics. Over the next four weeks towards
Christmas, the readings will focus attention on spiritual transformation. As
Matthew Kelly will propose, the best way to do that is by making use of four
easy ways that can transform your life as a Catholic. The four ways are prayer,
study, generosity (in time, talent and treasure) and evangelization. These four
ways can be a game changer for your life. In the coming weeks, the homilies
will guide us on how our lives can be transformed by doing one thing at a time.
Matthew Kelly asks: “How do you eat an elephant?” Bit by bit! The first
question we need to ask ourselves is, how is my spiritual health? To head
towards being not just spiritually healthier, but the best spiritual health,
you and I need a routine of 10 minutes daily. Can you find 10 minutes? I think
I can. Prayer, reading and living my faith can lead to spiritual transformation
and the best spiritual health. So what is the take away message? 1) Like the
man in the story, one becomes a dynamic and engaged Catholic through prayer,
study of their faith, but also through generosity in time, talent and treasure,
and by sharing their faith. 2) These four ways can indeed transform your life
to be the best version of yourself; to be more engaged and dynamic in parish
life. 3) We become the best version of ourselves by doing one thing at a time;
by taking baby steps. At the end of the day, spiritual transformation is not
something we achieve but a gift of the Holy Spirit. So we need to let go and
allow the Holy Spirit guide our lives.
©2014 John S. Mbinda
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