Advent: Making Ready

Welcome to Advent! This is my second Advent since coming back to the Church after nearly a lifetime away, and I am so excited for what lies ahead! The daily and Sunday readings have been preparing our way, opening a precious portal of hope: the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the promise of His return. We are asked to wait, to watch, to prepare, to be ready.

How can I be ready, Lord?

I can be grateful. I can find something to be grateful for in every little moment, even when I am challenged. I can recognize God's gift of life, the infinite beauty that surrounds me, and the material and spiritual resources He has given me, especially in the Sacraments. As a daily communicant, He feeds me, and my heart swells with gratitude. How fortunate we are at St. Matthew's to be able to partake as we do.

I can be healed. I can ask God to heal all the parts of me that need healing. I can recover from old behaviors and attachments that no longer serve me or anyone or God, and I can ask for help from others when I need it. I can reconcile with other people, ask for forgiveness and forgive. I can find healing in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, no longer hiding from God but inviting Him to heal me. It is so clear to me that He wants this because He loves me, loves us.

I can pray. I can spend time every morning, afternoon and evening with God in prayer. The Church offers us so many beautiful prayers, and we can also learn to pray with the Holy Spirit. My first prayer was to ask Mary to teach me how to pray, and she has been a loving and faithful Mother! She brought me to the Rosary and taught me to praise God and to intercede for others with her and all the Saints. I want to pray incessantly for salvation and unity in the Church, and I have found that the Jesus prayer has helped me: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!” I take it with me everywhere I go. And I have found the prayer of quiet and unity with the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

I can serve. I can ask God how he wants me to serve Him; there are so many ways! In the Church, in the shelters, in the streets, in small acts of love and kindness, in bringing joy to others and praying for and with them. Let me bring the Good News to all the suffering humanity! God is coming to save us! Let me help bring life and hope through our Lord Jesus Christ! That is all I ask of Thee, Lord, this Advent and always. O let me be a servant of the servants of God! Amen.

–Laura Tattoo

Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.