"Advent... being watchful ..." St. JPII

[MariaChristi]

Fourth Sunday of Advent - Commentary of the day
Saint John-Paul II, Pope from 1978 to 2005

… Advent is a time for being watchful, for prayer, for conversion, in addition to being one of fervent and joyful expectation. The motive is clear: “The Lord is near.” (Phil 4:5)

The first thing said to Mary in the New Testament is a joyful invitation: “Exult, rejoice!” (Lk 1,28 in Greek) Such a greeting is linked to the Savior’s coming. Mary is the first one to receive the announcement of a joy that will be afterwards proclaimed to the whole people. She participates in it in an extraordinary way and to an exceptional extent. In her, ancient Israel’s joy is concentrated and finds its fullness; in her, the happiness of messianic times bursts forth irrevocably. The Virgin Mary’s joy is in particular that of the “small remnant” of Israel (Isa 10,20f.), of the poor who await God’s salvation and who experience his fidelity.

So that we also might participate in this feast, it is necessary to wait in humility and to welcome the Savior with trust. “In considering the ineffable love with which the Virgin Mother awaited the Son, all the faithful who live the spirit of Advent through the liturgy, “vigilant in prayer and filled with gladness”, will be led to take her as their model and to prepare to go out to meet the Lord who is coming” (Paul VI, Marialis cultus).

Not just today, and not just in Advent, may we take Mary into our lives as our model and “prepare to meet the Lord who is coming”. One day He will come for us, individually at death or in His Final Coming in glory if we are alive on that day – He is coming; “The Lord is near”.

Mary, our Mother, help us to be as you were in your waiting: “of the poor who await God’s salvation and who experience His fidelity”. Help us to be “vigilant in prayer and filled with gladness” with you to meet the Lord whenever He comes.