by Fr. Gregory-David Jones, O.S.B.

     The Prophet Baruch had some very strong words for God’s People!  A fundamental change was prophesied about them – words of hope in the midst of their distress: mountains being leveled, gorges filled, land being made fertile, justice restored, peace made secure and the glory of God surrounding Jerusalem like a cloak!  It was prophesied that Jerusalem would become truly a dwelling place of the Lord, an epicenter of grace for all peoples.

     The hope prophesied about the land of Judah are also words of prophesy for us as individuals.  Our hearts may have become like the desolate land full of ditches, parched and lacking peace.  This time of year is a season full of hope!  It is a time for the prophesies to be fulfilled – a time for our hearts to display the glory of God’s name!  It does not matter how weak, flawed and unworthy we are.  What really matters is that the hope we have is not in vain, because the hope is Christ Himself.

     Let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the coming of the Lord.  Let us with zeal heed the words of John the Baptist to repent and submit ourselves to the Lord of glory.  If a stable made from human hands can become the birthplace of the Lord, how much more can our hearts crafted by God become a dwelling place for the Savior of the world!

Holy Spirit, inflame within our hearts a desire for our Savior, that we may be reborn in Him as we celebrate His birth and welcome Him into our hearts.

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