"Put on the Lord Jesus Christ"

This weekend we come to the end of our liturgical year (and reading Cycle C from Luke's Gospel) and begin a new one this Sunday with the Season of Advent (and reading Cycle A from Matthew's Gospel). We also hear these words from St. Paul: "put on the Lord Jesus Christ."

As the "holiday season" ramps up, with shopping and concerts and Hallmark movies and meals and family gatherings and parties... it can be exhausting. It seems that we can get so wrapped up in everything else that we lose track of Jesus and what this season of Advent and Christmas really show us: that God so loved the world that he entered into it, sending the Son to become like us in all things but sin and to take away our sin by his sacrifice on the Cross.

So, this holy Advent season, meant to prepare us spiritually to celebrate the Incarnation of Christ on Christmas as well as to be ready for his Second Coming on the Last Day, may we, like Paul suggests, put on Christ. Let us wear his life and words like a garment, perhaps by trying to read one of the Gospels throughout Advent (Mark is the shortest!) or some other practice that keeps them fresh on our minds and hearts. 

Then, having his words and example on our minds, bodies, and hearts as we go about the other worldly preparations for Christmas, we pray that the things we say and do this Advent Season will be a light to the world, dispelling the darkness like Christ did. And, in addition, we hope they will help us be ready for that day when, as Jesus warns in the Gospel, "at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come" on the Last Day.

Want to prepare your heart and mind for Mass this weekend? Click here to find the readings this Sunday's Mass.