Overview

For the Second Sunday in Advent we read: WE know what elaborate preparations are made to receive a distinguished visitor. We are expecting now a visit from our great Leader, Christ, who is coming to treat of what should concern us most, namely, our salvation. Let us see what kind of house we prepare for him. Let us hear David, who, when he had gathered a great quantity of gold, silver, precious stones, and woods for the building of the temple, said: The work is great; for a house is prepared not for man, but for God (1. Paralip. 29: 1). If the whole earth were gold or of a more precious metal, and constructed into one magnificent temple, then it would not be a suitable footstool for the Lord and Creator. The soul free from sin is a fit habitation for God. The Church, knowing how basely the Bethlehemites acted who refused admittance to the coming Christ and forced him into a stable, carefully admonishes us not to be guilty of a like contempt and receive Christ in the foul stable of our heart, lest we provoke his most just anger. The tabernacle o our hearts will be pleasing to God, if we build it like the one Moses ordered for him. Five things he wished especially in it: in the entrance, an altar of holocausts and a in the tabernacle n candlestick of many branches, an altar of incense and a table. I. First then let us erect an altar of holocausts, which is the heart immolating itself to God by mortification. This ought to be in the entrance that is before we approach the holy of holies. The victims to be immolated are the concupiscences, the delights of the body, all worldly cares and desires from which we should withdraw, especially at this time. Holy Ohurch invites us to this, while during this season she omits the canticles of joy: Glory to God in the highest, and Holy God, we praise thy name; while she clothes her ministers and altars in penitential purple. The example of holy David invites us. He withdrew from the court of King Saul and went to Bethlehem, his own city, because there were solemn sacrifices there for all his tribe (1 Kings 20). What would he have done if he knew that there he would find christ born? The shepherds who were keeping watch over their sheep invite us. When they had heard the glad tidings of the birth of Christ, they hastened to that ever memorable town saying: Let us go over to Bethlehem and let us see this word that is come to to pass (Luke 2). Let us do likewise, . put aside all profane delights, all worldly pleasures, and let us go over to Bethlehem and witness the solemn ceremonies. Let us withdraw as much as possible from all worldly business and give more time to the service of God. If our hearts are filled with secular things, schemes of ambition, desires of wealth, etc., how will there be a place for Christ? Was not Christ excluded from Bethlehem because there was no place in the inn? And why was the altar of holocaust hollow within, unless that we should learn to make room in our hearts for the reception of Christ? We should carefully observe the fast prescribed, and also truly deny ourselves some of those things that delight the palate; and if we are possessed of an abundance, give freely to the poor. ..

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