Thursday of the Third Week of
Advent - Luke 7:24-30
Today’s Gospel is a continuation of
yesterday’s Gospel. When the messengers of John had left, Jesus began to speak
to the crowds about John. He asked the crowds: “What did you come out to
see in the desert - a reed swayed by the wind? Truly, what did you come
out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing and one who dines on fine
food and drink and lives in luxury? Or did you come out to see a
prophet? John is a prophet and something more. This is the man whom
Scripture says: “I send my messenger before you to prepare your way before you!” Then
Jesus solemnly said to the people: “I send my messenger before you to prepare
your way before you! I assure you that there is no one born of man or
woman who is greater than John. Yet the least born into the kingdom of
God is greater than he.”
Today I invite you to ask yourself:
When you attend Mass, what do you hope to see or experience? Are you
attentive to the liturgy, the Scripture readings, the homily and the
music? Do you truly enter into the liturgy? Or do you space out and
think about what you have to do that day? Be honest: What is your
experience of the celebration of the Eucharist? Do you simply go through
the motions of attending Mass? Or are your heart and mind focused on this
sacred experience? Our experience of the celebration of Eucharist is
determined by our attentiveness and active participation or our lack of
attentiveness and participation.
If we do not consciously celebrate
the Eucharist, we are simply going through the motions! Yes, our attendance
counts for something; however, the experience of Eucharist will be very
rich if we focus on this sacred time. Most likely our minds will wander
away periodically; however we can continue to bring our minds and hearts
back to the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It always is our choice. The
celebration of the Eucharist can be a sacrament or it can be 60 minutes simply
spent in church.
What will we choose?
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