“The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.” (LK 1: 26-27)

The angel Gabriel received quite precise directions: a province, a town, a person, her relationship, her family, and her name. God is so precise when it is about our salvation. Our Lady, Mother of God, was chosen carefully and prepared perfectly. Whenever we receive from God a mission or vocation, it is always for a bigger purpose—serving others and helping them fulfill their mission. Our Lady will always be the best example of how to answer when God is calling. We need to answer with respect, with trust, but aware that the important questions need to be answered. God never uses others; He presents His plan. We can choose this same plan, but we make decisions. God, because He is LOVE, always respects us. 

“Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence.” (LK 5: 18)

We have no idea who they were: maybe very close friends, maybe neighbors, sons, or cousins? Was it just one who organized the team, or was it an idea of many? We don’t know (definitely in heaven, we will learn more about this situation), but they stayed anonymous even though they were crucial for this situation. In heaven, we will see how many of our good actions, good deeds, or solved problems happened because there was something more: maybe close friends or relatives who prayed for us or inspired us by some book or conversation. It is so good to have open eyes and see where somebody needs to be brought “in front of Jesus.” 

“Behold the king will come, the Lord of the earth, and he himself will lift the yoke of our capacity.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’” (MK 1: 2-3)

It is not our way to God; it is His way to us. Advent is not about us, our sacrifices, or about our actions. Advent is about Him, Who is coming to announce the most amazing News: we are unconditionally loved by God, Who sent His Son to redeem us and invite us to heaven. Prepare the way of the Lord means—stay home, make everything beautiful for His coming, check your wardrobe to find the best dress for you, put out some flowers, prepare some meal. The best preparation is to make your relationship with your spouse the most amazing because both of you are responsible for the house’s atmosphere. When we are united, our homes are amazing; when we conflict, nobody wants to visit us. 

“Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths: All flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” (MT 9: 36)

Jesus and His heart are one. He is always looking for those who are in need. He is always helping, concerned, protective, supporting. When we are givers, not demanders, when we are focused on our spouses and what they need, then we are closer and closer to His heart, “moved with pity.” 

“The LORD is our Judge, our Lawgiver, our King; he it is who will save us.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“Jesus warned them sternly, ‘See that no one knows about this.’ But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.” (MT 9: 30-31) 

We know this phrase perfectly: “See that no one knows about it.” How often do we really keep it, and how often do we share it with some good friends, asking them the same? This is our nature. We do not want to keep good news a secret because the good news could be an inspiration, a motive for somebody to change his/her life. This is why we do everything to help others “know about” our Programs, what it did for our relationship, for our growth, and the quality of our lives and those of our children and friends. All of us have “that land,” our friends, our relatives, neighbors, to share with them the Good News—we are loved, and God is helping us to love more and more.   

Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.” (MT 7: 23) 

Probably it is the first time in our lives when we have experienced such a lockdown. So many things we were used to doing are now impossible; we can’t go to churches (different in different countries), travel, visit our relatives or friends, we are really shocked. We have (huge) problems with our jobs, income, payments. We are scared of losing our relatives and friends; we have no idea how long it will take to come back to “normality,” so Our Lord gives us today a piece of excellent news—built solidly on the rock: His words, His presence, His love. With Him, there is no fear. He is love, and love always wins. 

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call him while he is near.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.” (MT 15: 37)

All the sick were cured, and all the hungry were satisfied. With only 7 loaves at the beginning, “they picked up the fragments left over—seven baskets full.” This is how Our Lord answers our needs. When we come to His feet and are close to Him, He takes care of us today and always. 

“Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.’” (LK 10: 21)

There are not many “pictures” of Our Lord smiling, rejoicing, or having fun. We know Him mostly from the crucifix and from paintings mostly focused on His death or teaching, where He is serious and tough. But Our Lord is Love, and love is always focused on joy, making others happy, smiling, and emanating acceptance. 

“Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.” (Gospel Acclamation)