Advent: Preparing to Receive the Hidden Christ

"Come, Lord Jesus, hidden in the womb of Mary!"

During the past week we've kept vigil at the side of Mary, accompanying her and Joseph to Bethlehem. With every step, our expectation and desire grow. He's coming! The Messiah!

We watch for recognition in the faces of those whom we pass on the way. Here He is - the Christ! But no one seems to notice. They don't even look at Mary and Joseph, and those who only glance at them dismiss them just as quickly.

As Mary and Joseph are turned away from the inn, we stand there in disbelief. What? Can't the innkeeper see this is the Mother of God? That she carries our Savior?

Without complaint, Mary and Joseph prepare the stable for Jesus' coming. We run to help them, and as we help we complain to Mary about the blindness of others, that they didn't even notice that Jesus is here.

She begins to tell us about the hidden Christ, Christ hidden in each of us, Christ hidden in her womb, Christ hidden in the Eucharist. Ah, how often we fail to recognize Christ in others. What pierces our hearts more, though, is when we realize how often we fail to recognize Christ in the Eucharist!

Christ fully present, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist. And how many times do we receive Him while our minds and hearts are occupied by thoughts about bills, work, or what we're going to do later in the day? Christ hungers for us. He calls to us each time He comes in the Eucharist.

Our hearts begin to burn with an even greater desire for the coming of Jesus - especially in the Eucharist. We say with St. Faustina, "Today, I prepare for the coming of the King. ... O my heart, are you aware of who is coming to you today?" (Diary of St. Faustina, 1810).

We're little, broken, but let us ardently prepare to receive Him in the Eucharist. How? Let's start with an examination of conscience and then go to confession if we're conscious of any grave sin.

Then, after reflecting on our unworthiness and observing the fast required by the Church, let us receive Jesus lovingly and reverently, "Jesus I love You. Jesus I love You. Jesus a thousand times, I love You! Thank you Jesus for coming to me. Thank you Jesus for the greatest Christmas gift - You!"

This week, this fourth and final week of Advent, as Christmas fast approaches, let us continue our cry of expectation, "Come to me, Jesus, in the Eucharist. You who comfort me in my brokenness, You who heal my wounded heart!"
mmwj

You might also like...

The world may think that Christmas ended at midnight on Christmas Day, but the Church knows better. We celebrate an eight-day Christmas Octave, stretching from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1, with a number of special feast days, including three feasts of martyrs:

On Oct. 28, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of Sts. Simon and Jude, apostles of the Lord who zealously preached to the nations. Father Dan Cambra, MIC, tells their story.

Eight missionaries, sent to proclaim the Gospel to the Huron people in North America, suffered terrible martyrdom at the hands of the Iroquois. We celebrate them on Oct. 19. Here, in brief, is the story of St. John de Brebeuf, St. Isaac Jogues, and their companions.