Second Sunday of Advent
Last week I preached about how Advent is a time of waiting. Advent is also a time of preparing. St. John the Baptist is the quintessential Advent figure, proclaiming, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” As a Church, we prepare for three things during Advent: to celebrate Christmas, we prepare for Christ to come into our hearts each day, and we prepare for Christ to return in glory. As individuals we are probably preparing for family to come over at some point in the next month, perhaps even buying some food now; we clean our house and get it ready for a Christmas tree (real or fake) and the Christmas decorations; we make lists of presents we want and presents we need to get for those we love.
Of the three comings of Christ (2,000 years ago in Bethlehem, daily in our hearts, and at the end of time), the one that we probably default to at this time of year is the first Christmas, when Christ was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem. Perhaps we even think, especially as we just closed out the month of November, about Christ returning in glory and the final judgment. But today I’d like to focus on preparing for Christ to come into our hearts today, and how we prepare for that.
Because while the Incarnation was a unique event, as Christ took flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and we could know about that Incarnation when He was born, Christ, in an analogous sense, becomes incarnate every day, as we offer to God ordinary bread and wine, and, by the power of the Holy Spirit and through the ministry of the priest, Christ changes it into His Body and Blood. Each Sunday is a little Easter, as we celebrate the Resurrection, but each Mass is like a little Christmas, when God miraculously takes flesh before our eyes and we can look upon the God whom the heavens and earth cannot contain.
Just like preparing for Christmas, there are practical ways that we get ready for Mass. We get dressed (thank you for not coming to Mass without clothes!), hopefully donning nicer clothes than we would wear to go to a movie or a sporting event. We make sure we don’t smell too gamey, and maybe comb or brush the hair, and maybe the ladies put on a little make-up. If we have kids, we try to ensure that the socks match, the shoes are on the correct feet, and they won’t be too cold or too hot. We leave (or should leave) so that we’re not walking into Mass after it has already begun, allowing a little time in case we catch every red light, or construction makes our detour from our regular route. Those are all necessary preparations that we personally make for Mass, but which are altogether secular. But how do we prepare ourselves spiritually? Do we prepare ourselves spiritually?
We can prepare for Mass by doing a good examination of conscience, and going to confession. We especially need to go to confession if we are aware of mortal or grave sins, but we can also go even if we only have venial sins. Allowing the Lord to cleanse us of our sins removes and obstacles that may get in the way of our reception of the Lord’s grace.
Preparation for Mass can also begin six days before Mass even begins. Thanks to hand missals and the Internet, we probably always know what the readings will be for the following Sunday. A great way to prepare is to read over the readings for Mass each day before the following Sunday. Reading the Word of God is a great preparation, as the proclamation of the prophets was the same way the Chosen People were prepared for the Incarnation. Reading something multiple times also helps us go deeper into the meaning of the sacred text. And, if you have a child who is a bit squirmy and you have to step out, or if the homily is particularly boring, you can think about what you might say about those readings, and how God has spoken to you through the Word of God.
Another proximate way of preparing is by fasting. We are required to fast from all food and drink except water and medicine for 1 hour before receiving Holy Communion. This means no gum, no walking in with a cup of coffee, or no other little food or drink delights. The Communion fast prepares our body to hunger for the Eucharist. It draws our mind and our body to the Body we will be receiving, the Body of our Lord. Of course, this fast can be modified if our health requires some sustenance (such as those who are hypoglycemic, diabetic, or even simply pregnant). But it can also be extended as a means of devotion. Some of you remember when you had to fast for 3 hours before receiving Holy Communion, and a handful of you may even remember requiring the fast to begin at midnight (which is why the first meal of the day was usually had after Mass and was called breakfast–literally, breaking the fast). I myself try not to eat any food before my first Mass of the day.
On the day of Mass, proper preparation continues, as much as possible, by arriving at Mass before it’s scheduled to begin. Again, with kids that can sometimes be tough, and even the best planning and preparation can sometimes give way to the practicalities of getting kids ready who may not always be helpful or enthused when it comes to going to Mass. But generally, do we plan to arrive a little before Mass begins, or do we wander in sometime during the first reading, or second reading, or homily?
Having arrived at Mass early, with whom do we spend that time? There’s nothing wrong with catching up with friends before Mass, but God wants your time as well, and deserves it more than your friends. Do you take time to quiet your heart, to make space for God’s voice, that so often comes in the silence by silent prayer before Mass? There are a variety of prayers before Mass that one can say, or perhaps pray a decade of or an entire Rosary.
So often I hear the trite phrase, “I don’t get anything out of Mass.” You might hear it as well. I would encourage you to respond (of if you say it yourself, think on): “What did you do to get ready for Mass?” Just like if we are not prepared for an event, we don’t get as much out of it, so with the Mass, if we have not prepared, we may not experience as many of the fruits as God desires for us. You don’t necessarily have to be a planner like me, but make time to prepare to come to the celebration of the Passion of the Lord [who with the Father and the Holy Spirit is God, for ever and ever. Amen].
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| An icon of St. John the Baptist from the place where he was hidden during the slaughter of the Holy Innocents |