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Gospel: Luke 7: 24-30
When the messengers of John the Baptist had left,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John.
“What did you go out to the desert to see a reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine garments?
Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously
are found in royal palaces.
Then what did you go out to see?
A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom Scripture says:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
he will prepare your way before you.
I tell you,
among those born of women, no one is greater than John;
yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.”
(All the people who listened, including the tax collectors,
who were baptized with the baptism of John,
acknowledged the righteousness of God;
but the Pharisees and scholars of the law,
who were not baptized by him,
rejected the plan of God for themselves.)
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Can you remember as a child toying with an old car radio?
You have to adjust the dial, getting the indicator to land on a station “just right” – not too far to the left, not too far to the right.
“Just right.”
If it was one click off, then all you’d hear was static.
Today we just hit the SEEK button and PRESTO the radio finds the next available station for us.
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But fiddling with an old radio reminds me of what Advent is all about.
Just as we had to work to find the right radio station, so we have to fine tune our hearts to hear God speak. One click too far to the right or to the left produces static, muffling his voice.
We have to dial down the distractions – the noise of the holidays, shopping, iPhones, televisions, and computers – and turn up the time we spend in prayer and reflection, preparing ourselves for the second coming of the Lord.
Only then – when there is silence – can we hear the Lord speak to us.
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So, what has my Advent journey been like? Have I been able to dial down the distractions and turn up time spent in prayer, pondering spiritual things?
Or is there still static buzzing within?
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In ten days, we will celebrate Christmas. Keep fiddling with that little dial in your heart, making time for the Lord.
Only when it’s silent within will you be able to hear Jesus speak.
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Image credits: (1) Advent Journey, mycatholicireland.net (2) Philkotse (3) Meg Hunter-Kilmer, Advent Boot Camp 2020