Reflection for the 4th Sunday of Advent

We have spent these weeks of Advent in preparation, with joy, and with our gaze fixed on the One who is to come, the glorious coming of Christ. Our life is a reflection of this expectation, with concrete experiences and events that have helped us experience this time of conversion with intensity. We have prepared ourselves to live it in prayer, in vigil, in preparation, and in reconciliation, within ourselves and with our brothers and sisters.

Pope Francis tells us that this is a time to "set out on the path" and walk towards the Lord and live this great experience of love. But the unexpected surprise is great! We see that it is Jesus who seeks us first! It is he who has come out to meet us.

Everything is ready to receive the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. We see in our mother Mary her faithfulness, love, and service, and Joseph silently assuming his vocation in God's plan of salvation. The question arises, what does God want from me as I contemplate all these scenes? Where does this time and experience of salvation lead me? We have lived through a stage of preparation but preparation for what?

These are questions that give us a bit of anxiety, fear, and sometimes sadness. Am I capable? What is God asking of me? Will I be able to do it? Of course, I will! Of course, I will be able to! It is Jesus who invites us, He is the one I am waiting for. He is my friend and He reveals Himself to me by saying: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love." (John 15:9) "I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father." (John 15:15).

This season of Advent is a good time to strengthen our friendship with Jesus. It is a time to rediscover ourselves, to marvel at his presence in the manger in Bethlehem and his presence in our lives. It is a time of renewal. He comes to stay in our home and have supper with us every day. We cannot miss this wonderful opportunity, so we pause in our lives to look carefully at what I am doing, who am I, and above all what is the Lord asking of me. "Behold, I come to do your will, O God." (Hebrews 10:7) We contemplate once again the figure of St. Joseph, who in silence is ready to do all that God asks of him.

Help me, Father, to enter into this silence to discover your will in my life. Spirit of truth, enlighten my heart so that I may see God's will.