Preparing our Hearts for the Lord's Coming: Week 2 Daily Advent Spiritual Journey
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| Fr. Patrick Etuk, MSP |
Reflection for Second Week of Advent: Preparing Our Hearts for the Lord's Coming
In the first reading from Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11, we see the purpose of the Lord's coming – to comfort us and to set us free. God, in His boundless mercy and compassion, looks upon His people who have strayed far from Him. Their distance from God has made them vulnerable to suffering and pain. This resonates with our personal experiences, that darkness and gloom fill our lives when we are far away from God who is light. Yet, God remembers His people and assures them through the prophet of His plans for restoration and renewal, to heal and make them whole again. However, He calls on them to prepare the way for Him in their hearts, as the prophet says. “Let every valley be filled in, every hill be laid low, every cliff be made plain.”
In our lives, these valleys can represent our fears, doubts, despair, discouragement, and helplessness about situations we face. We are called to raise these valleys with faith, courage, hope, and trust in the Lord, as we turn to him with all our hearts. The hills symbolize pride, vanity, and false senses of security, often rooted in false beliefs that wealth, power, and fame bring happiness and peace. These false hopes will ultimately lead to frustration, as we soon discover that these idols do not offer what they promise. We are called to renounce these false securities and place our trust in the Lord who never fails, and who truly can fulfill the deepest yearnings of our hearts.
The second reading from 2 Peter 3:8-14 reminds us that God's delay in coming is an act of patience, for He desires the salvation of all. In a certain sense, we often fail to feel His presence because we are not ready for Him. Our hearts are entangled by the cares of this world and the vain pursuit of carnal pleasures leaving little room for God. In the process, we become cold and mean towards others, lacking love and compassion. Where there is no love, God seems far away. We feel no more the power of his presence. God calls us to prepare our hearts by cultivating compassion, humility, and mercy in our relationships with others. When we have love in our hearts, we make a way for God to act in our lives
In the gospel of Mark 1:1-8, John the Baptist calls his people to confess their sins and repent, creating a path in their hearts for the One who will deliver them. We must acknowledge our guilt, our miserable condition, and our helplessness to change by our own strength if we must make room for God’s grace to be effective in our lives. Repentance is not just acknowledging our faults, it is turning to God, trusting in him to meet the deepest yearnings of our hearts rather than the passing things of this world. It is following his leading rather than our ways of thinking and the mentality of this world. It is such attitude to life, which is making God a priority that will lead us to true peace and joy which our hearts truly seek.
Highlights for Second Week of Advent
1. Renounce False Security: Identify areas of false security in your life and consciously choose to place your trust in God. Recognize that worldly possessions and power are fleeting, but God's love and grace endure. False security could be an attachment to money, pleasure, position, and friends. Do these replace God in your life?
2. Fill in the Valleys: Confront your fears, doubts, and discouragements with faith, courage, and hope. Trust that God can lift you from these low points in your life.
3. Practice Compassion and Mercy: Cultivate compassion, humility, and mercy in your interactions with others. Show love and kindness to those you encounter, even in challenging situations.
4. Repent and Trust: Embrace repentance as an ongoing process of turning away from sin and toward God. Trust that God will provide you with the strength and wisdom to lead a life aligned with His purpose.
Preparing Our Hearts for the Lord's Coming: Daily Advent Journey
In this second week of Advent, our hearts are drawn to the theme of preparing ourselves for the Lord's coming. The readings remind us of the purpose of His coming – to set us free, to bring us salvation, and to transform our lives. As we meditate on this theme throughout the week, let us reflect on practical ways to prepare our hearts for the Lord's arrival.
Sunday: Filling in the Valleys and Lowering Hills
Scripture: Isaiah 40:4-5
"Every valley shall be exalted, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together."
Affirmation for Sunday: "I fill in my valleys of doubt and fear with faith, and lower the hills of pride and false security with humility. I prepare my heart for the Lord's glory to be revealed."
Practical Tip: Spend some time in prayer, identifying areas of doubt and pride in your life. Seek God's help in filling in the valleys and lowering the hills, making your heart ready for His presence.
Monday: Trusting in the Lord's Mercy
Scripture: Psalm 130:7-8
"Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He will redeem Israel from all their sins."
Affirmation for Monday: "I put my hope in the Lord's unfailing love and trust in His redemption. I release my false sense of security and place my trust in Him alone."
Practical Tip: Reflect on areas where you've placed false hope in material things. Make a list of these attachments and consciously choose to trust in God's unfailing love instead.
Tuesday: Learning Compassion and Humility
Scripture: 2 Peter 3:9
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Affirmation for Tuesday: "I seek the patience of the Lord and strive to emulate His compassion. I choose humility and repentance, desiring that all may come to know Him."
Practical Tip: Identify someone in your life with whom you need to practice compassion and humility. Reach out to them and demonstrate God's love through your actions.
Wednesday: Confession and Repentance
Scripture: Mark 1:4
"And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."
Affirmation for Wednesday: "I embrace the call to confess my sins and repent, trusting in God's forgiveness. I make a way in my heart for the One who delivers."
Practical Tip: Spend time in prayer, confessing your sins and seeking forgiveness. Allow God to cleanse your heart as you prepare for His arrival.
Thursday: Believing in God's Promises
Scripture: Romans 15:13
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Affirmation for Thursday: "I trust in God's promises and believe that He will provide the wisdom and strength I need. I live a life worthy of my calling as a Christian."
Practical Tip: Write down some of God's promises from Scripture and meditate on them throughout the day, holding onto the hope they provide.
Friday: Acts of Love and Compassion
Scripture: Matthew 25:35-36
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
Affirmation for Friday: "I actively seek opportunities to show love and compassion to those in need, recognizing the presence of Christ in every person."
Practical Tip: Plan a small act of kindness or charity for today, such as volunteering at a local shelter or helping someone in need.
Saturday: Reviewing the Week's Spiritual Journey
Take some time to reflect on the week's meditations and how they have prepared your heart for the Lord's coming. Offer a prayer of gratitude and commitment to continue this journey of preparation.
As we journey through this second week of Advent, may our hearts be truly prepared to receive the Lord. Let us raise the valleys of doubt and lower the hills of pride, trusting in God's unfailing love, and showing compassion and humility to others. May we confess our sins, believe in His promises, and live out our calling as Christians, always ready for His coming.