A Meditation for the Advent Liturgy of December 22nd
Our Magnificat
In this awe-inspiring icon we see John the Baptist prostrating himself before Emmanuel - "God with us"
We join the Blessed Virgin Mary on this day and we raise our hearts in praise: It is the prayer and the praise of Advent.
Our soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. He has filled Advent with unlimited graces. The harvest has been abundant.
The response to John the Baptist has been reform and conversion... We have obeyed Paul in the call to make greater progress in our spiritual journey.
Hope has come to a fullness: in three days a Savior will be born… a Redeemer will be in our midst. We will know the presence of God.
Indeed we proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Our spirit rejoices in God: Our spirit knew a silence.
There was a journey into the deepest core of our being, into sacred solitude; God was encountered and adored.
Our spirit knew a hunger that moved us to consume the Inspired Word of God, Faith opened the riches of the Messiah.
Our spirit knew a desire for a Savior that made us cry out with John: Maranatha! Come, O Come Christ the Lord!
He has shown the strength of his arm: The impossible has become possible: Christ was found in suffering. Asceticism led to riches… Fidelity brought a joy.
He has shown the strength of his arm…… Afflictions purified the soul Struggles made hope greater… Self-giving made community life a glory to God…
He has cast down the mighty and lifted the lowly: He showed the emptiness of my prayer yet gave the desire to pray more...
He has come to the help of his servant… When obedience was beyond the possible He took us to the fiat of Mary. When loneliness tore at the human heart He assured us of his presence. When one was exhausted with mystery He gave greater faith. His help was abundant and the heart bowed in gratitude.
Indeed He has remembered his promises When I asked, I did receive. When I sought, I did find. When I knocked, He did open.
He promised a Redeemer. In three days his promise will be fulfilled. In longing and hope my soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Amen
Msgr. Bernard Powers