Encountering the Merciful God in Advent

 As Advent draws on, the great excitement continues, while the joyful waiting intensifies. The season of Christmas is drawing near. Oh, but wait, we are not quite there yet. We wait for another two weeks.

How exactly can we get the most out of these last two weeks as we await Christ coming at Christmas? God in his great wisdom has provided far more than we could ever need in order to get the most out of each moment in the season of Advent, as we prepare for Christmas. Holy Mother Church has all the resources necessary to fill God’s people with hope, peace, joy and lasting love.

As I continued my Advent journey, I encountered the most merciful Jesus in the sacrament of reconciliation. Before I entered the confessional, I carefully made a list of all the matters I needed to give to Jesus, all those areas of my life that required his cleansing and purification.  If you are not sure how to go about doing this, I recommend that you take a look at the articles under the Sacrament of Reconciliation on this site.

Consumed by the effects of an examination of conscience, I waited anxiously to encounter Jesus in reconciliation at my afternoon appointment.  As I emptied the contents of the list I made earlier, to my confessor, I encountered Jesus who seemed more concerned about reassuring me of his deep and unending love for me, than about taking note of my every sin and fault.

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Jesus who knows the sincerity of my heart as I came to his throne of mercy, forgave my sins and relieved me of all burdens. After removing them, he filled my heart with great peace, joy, hope and love. As I left relieved, I pondered on the thought of God’s mercy and realized that God’s mercy is as big as His love. And we know how big – or rather how magnanimous – that love is. The door to God’s mercy is still open and he beckons us this advent to “Come unto me, all you who are burdened, and I will give you rest”. Do not miss this wonderful opportunity to be reconciled with our Lord.

Now I eagerly and happily await the moments of each day when I would receive and encounter Jesus in the Eucharist. The real joy is each day he fills me with more joy as I receive Holy Communion. Far too many graces are available to us in God’s Holy Catholic Church for us to miss out on. Beloved, tap into the treasury of graces available to you this Advent season.  It matters not where you are nor how far you think you have fallen away from God’s love.  His loving gaze is upon you longing for you to come home. Please don’t miss the opportunity. Take last weekend’s reading to heart that implored us all to “stay awake and be on our guard since we know not the time nor the hour when Jesus will return”.

As we prepare to light the pink (rose) candle on this third Sunday of Advent, experience the joy, peace and everlasting love of our God.

Come taste and see and be filled to overflowing, as we await yet encounter Christ during Advent.