Preparedness

We tend to think of Advent as a limited period of preparation ---- it is already more than half over. Then we move on to Christmas, whether we are ready or not. But God does not limit his efforts to prepare us. His patience is boundless. He wants us to share his own life and joy, overflowing like a river, or like the waves of the sea. He continually points out to us what is for our own good ---- "I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is good for you ---- I lead you in the way that you must go." He is still teaching us and leading us. His commandments are still our sure guidelines to a joyful and fruitful life. However, we have a tendency to resist being told what to do, even we know it is for our own good. This is one characteristic of immaturity. We see this tendency in young children, who can sometimes stubbornly refuse to obey, regardless of the consequences. Even when the parents change their tactics, and offer rewards for good behavior rather than punishment for bad, sometimes children simply get caught in the pleasure of exercising their own will ---- they grow enamored with saying,"No!" Jesus has an entirely realistic understanding of children, with all their beautiful qualities, and all their self-centered tendencies. The Lord is simply revealing something that parents often realize : that when we observe our children, we have an opportunity to see a simplified version of how we ourselves behave, both good and bad. He is giving us a way to examine ourselves, so that we will take steps to grow out of our 'childish' ways and grow into the genuine 'childlike' spirit of the saints. One of the tactics of children is name-calling. It is a way to reject and belittle a person we dislike. We adults do it too, but more subtly. The same tactic is common today. For example, those who reject the Church's moral authority or the primacy of the Holy Father might say, "What can a bunch of old bachelors teach me about se.?" or "Why should I follow some old guy in Rome?" Childish remarks like these show that the speakers are no different from the children of Capernaum taunting each other in the market place. By rejecting their teachers, they ended up rejecting the wisdom being taught them. Childish complaining and quarreling are not fruitful ways to prepare for the coming of the Lord ! The wise man is the one "whose delight is the law of the Lord and who ponders his law day and night."♥

P.S.
R.H. Bill on its Third Reading.