December 3, 2023, 12:00 PM

As we begin Advent, we jump into our Advent Season theme of Hope. As you know, Hope is a theological (from God) virtue (habit to do good). Through our Hope we desire eternal life in Heaven. When Jesus comes again, will He find us awake? I Hope so! Next Sunday’s Readings give us Hope and challenge us to prepare the way before the Lord. I Hope you take some time to prayerfully reflect on them before Mass. In Isaiah we hear a voice that cries out “prepare the way of the Lord!” He says all must prepare since “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed.” Isaiah compares God’s kindness to a shepherd’s care for his flock. Knowing God cares for us gives us great Hope! St. Peter tells us we do not know the day or the hour of the coming of the Lord, so we must be ready. He tells us to be grateful for the time to prepare and to strive to become all God wants us to be. Through our Hope God gives us the grace to grow in holiness. In Mark’s Gospel John the Baptist proclaims, “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” and stresses the importance of the coming of the Messiah. He points us to Jesus and challenges us to repent. He urges us to prepare for one that is far holier than he. As John the Baptist prepared the way of the Lord, we, too, must prepare for His coming. To prepare the way and make straight His paths, we must be willing to be that voice that proclaims the Good news of Jesus. Our virtue of Hope gives us the strength and the courage to do just that. Our Hope keeps us awake! Now you know!