Second Week of Advent: Prepare the Way of the Lord
12/02/22 • 27 min
In this podcast for the Second Week of Advent, Fr. Peter Armenio directs our attention to the metaphors of conversion found in the gospel description of St. John the Baptist: "A voice of one crying in the desert, 'prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.'" We, too, want to be imitators of John the Baptist, "albeit in a flawed and imperfect way," as Fr. Peter explains. He points out, "It’s not about my talents, my gifts, my skills; but it is about letting that Christ who lives in me through Baptism, to let him grow so He reveals Himself [...] through myself, being an imperfect vessel, but a vessel of Jesus Christ, nevertheless.”
During these days of Advent, our calling is to "put on Jesus Christ" more intentionally so as to let His life and His love be revealed through us. Only in this way can we make Christ "real" to those who earnestly seek Him. And, as St. Josemaria wrote, we have two points of entry available to us: "the Bread and the Word." By constantly nourishing ourselves with Scripture and the Eucharist, we will be better equipped to abide in Him amid the busyness of our daily lives.
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In this podcast for the Second Week of Advent, Fr. Peter Armenio directs our attention to the metaphors of conversion found in the gospel description of St. John the Baptist: "A voice of one crying in the desert, 'prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.'" We, too, want to be imitators of John the Baptist, "albeit in a flawed and imperfect way," as Fr. Peter explains. He points out, "It’s not about my talents, my gifts, my skills; but it is about letting that Christ who lives in me through Baptism, to let him grow so He reveals Himself [...] through myself, being an imperfect vessel, but a vessel of Jesus Christ, nevertheless.”
During these days of Advent, our calling is to "put on Jesus Christ" more intentionally so as to let His life and His love be revealed through us. Only in this way can we make Christ "real" to those who earnestly seek Him. And, as St. Josemaria wrote, we have two points of entry available to us: "the Bread and the Word." By constantly nourishing ourselves with Scripture and the Eucharist, we will be better equipped to abide in Him amid the busyness of our daily lives.
View Transcript
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THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
Let us know that our podcast is important to you:
- Share your favorite episodes with others and leave us a rating or review.
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Previous Episode
Divine Filiation: Our Cause for Joy
In this podcast, Fr. Fred Dolan reminds us how this time of meditation and prayer is so important to preparing ourselves for the feast of Christmas, especially because Our Lord wants us to make the resolution "to have our eyes wide open in order to discover all the growth that must be taking place on the inside" during this season of Advent.
Fr. Dolan explains how our interior growth greatly depends on our acknowledging our dignity as God's beloved children. The core of our identities and our deepest realities comes from the fact that we are children of God. And, our personal worth depends on God's love who has created us and who has big dreams for us.
Therefore, one of the consequences of reflecting on our divine filiation will be "supernatural vision"--learning how to see God's providence in everything. Because, as Fr. Dolan says, "we do not know what is good for us... but we think we do. We have our own plans for happiness and too often we merely regard God as somebody who will help us accomplish them. The true state of affairs is just the opposite. God has his plans for our happiness. And, he is waiting for us to help Him accomplish those plans."
As we wait for the coming of the Christ Child, let us ask Him in our prayer today: What are you up to in my life and the lives of all those in my household? We cannot improve on God's plans because His path is the only path leads us to the greatest fruitfulness and joy.
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Next Episode
Third Week of Advent: Rejoice in the Lord
In this podcast for the Third Week of Advent, Fr. Peter Armenio reflects on the readings for the Mass of the third Sunday of Advent also known as “Gaudete Sunday” or “Rejoice Sunday”.
The very first description of Jesus in the Gospel is that he is "good news of great joy" (Luke 2:10). Great joy always surrounds Him and there is always a joyous reaction in the presence of Our Lord. Therefore, one tell-tale sign that we are in the right disposition for Him to come to us is the prominent fruit of the Holy Spirit: joy.
Fr. Peter explains that permanent, deep joy exclusively comes from Christ and is the fruit of a close relationship with Him. Joy outside of Christ is just a good mood, a thrill, or a momentary pleasure. Our true joy comes from being that good soil where we habitually seek Our Lord with our whole heart.
And, if we are lacking joy, this is the time to examine ourselves: Am I looking for Jesus with all my heart? Is He number one in my life? Do I want Him to be number one?
We pray to Our Lady, Cause of Our Joy: "Help me to be less crazy busy so my prayer becomes a habitual activity and my day revolves around Our Lord, and so that I can rejoice in Christ and more effectively transmit His life to my family and friends."
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St. Josemaria Institute Podcast - Second Week of Advent: Prepare the Way of the Lord
Transcript
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. My Lord and my God, I firmly believe that you are here, that you see me, that you hear me. I adore you with profound reverence. I ask your pardon for my sins and the grace to make this time of prayer fruitful. My Immaculate Mother, St. Joseph my father and lord, my guardian angel, intercede for me.
Jesus, as we offer our minds and hearts to you, in a special way, because you’re present in the Blessed Sacrament, w
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