Advent Journey #1

Our vocation to holiness is more clearly lived when we are focused on our goal; and the way to that goal is marked by any number of points along the way.  One of these key points is the recognition of Christ as King and Sovereign of our homes and hearts.  During this Advent season we will embark on realizing that particular goal.

The Church’s long experience shows that not only is it necessary for us to bring the Gospel to every part of the world, but then comes the task of keeping that commitment fresh and vigorous.  We see in the book of Revelations how most of the seven cities addressed have become tepid in their love for God and as a result, their witness to Christ; indeed, some had dropped off completely.  We have seen this as well in the history of the Church and in our own time: so many places where it seemed the faith was firmly rooted have turned their backs on God altogether; and sadly, we have witnessed this in so many of our families or individuals within families.

Experience shows that devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is intimately connected to the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist, brings with it so many graces within the family and within the community that practices it.  A early promoter of this enthronement, Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey (1875-1961) has said, “because you have carried out His divine request to be invited to your home, He keeps His promise to bless your family and all its undertakings, to sanctify your joys and sorrows, to console you in all your trials, to keep your family united and to give to it true peace and happiness.”

As Cardinal Burke has written, “While enthroning the Sacred Heart and keeping His Commandments publicly acknowledges His Kingship and Headship, striving to love Him more and more each day is necessary if we are to preserve and deepen our friendship with Him.”  We begin this process on this first week of Advent by recognizing that this Jesus, Who is coming in glory, comes to us as a friend.  The booklets available will direct you to reflect on the Gospel story of the raising of Lazarus; and the reflection, after praying the 1^st Glorious Mystery of the Rosary (the Resurrection), reminds us of our Lord’s desire to befriend us as he did Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, as well as Zacchaeus and so many others.  As our Lord tells us in the Gospels, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.  I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing.  I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.” (John 15:14-15)

May your time of preparation for enthronement and consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, our King, make this Advent season a fuller experience of preparation for His coming again, as well as preparing for a fuller celebration of His first coming.