Daily Retreat 12/23/08

2008 Dec 23 Tue: Advent Weekday (O Emmanuel)/ John of Kanty, p Mal 3:1-4,23-24; Ps 24(25):4-5ab,8-9,10 and 14; Lk 1:57-66 From today's readings:  "Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts....  Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my savior....   All who heard these things took them to heart...." O Emmanuel! Although not the last written chronologically, in Christian bibles, Malachi is placed as the last book in the Old Testament - the prophecies about the Messiah and His precursor (John the Baptist) make it a most appropriate bridge to the New Testament.   In regards to Christ, the first reading today insists that, "...the Lord whom you seek, and the Messenger of the covenant whom you desire - yes, He is coming!"  But then comes the crucial question, "But who will endure the day of His coming?  And who can stand when He appears?" These are the questions you and I need to ask ourselves: Do we want Him to come?  Are we ready for Him?  Have we prepared our hearts and souls to give Him the warmest welcome?  What can we do in the next two days with prayer and acts of charity to guarantee there will be room for Emmanuel in the inn of our hearts?