The readings today are all about being prepared for the coming of the day of the Lord. The first reading says
"They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again." (Is 2:4)
Exciting prospect, right? We've been through so much fighting lately. We have acts of terrorism being perpetrated every day; the biggest story of the last week was tips on how to have a peaceful post-election Thanksgiving. Or, if you should even try.
The readings today also call us to joy. The responsorial psalm today is "Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord." (Ps 122) With these thoughts of getting ready with joy, I settled on "Get Ready." Yes, it is definitely a song about pursuing a woman, but if we blink past a few lyrics we have the heart of Advent:
Look out baby, 'cause here I come"
Jesus is coming! Get ready!
"And I'm bringing you a love that's true
So get ready, so get ready
I'm gonna try to make you love me too
So get ready, so get ready 'cause here I come"
Advent is about preparing for the coming of Jesus. It is a penitential season, hence the purple, just like Lent. But it is joyful. When I anticipate something good, I get a gearing-up, rolling-forward feeling right at the base of my ribcage. Advent is that feeling - anticipating not just something good, but the best thing. Our Light of the World, Emmanuel (God-with-us), Divine Love, Savior of the World.
The Sunday after the election the priest giving the homily made sure to talk about our Savior. Our Savior is not a politician. Our Savior is not a winner. Our Savior is not a loser. No person who holds office can save us. No person can save us. Only our God, ever present in perfect, sacrificial love, can save us. That story of salvation starts with the event we are preparing for: The Nativity of the Lord. (one could easily say, and I will agree with you, that salvation history starts long before then. That is true. But I mean, specifically here, the story of Jesus.)
In the song, the singer wants to build anticipation. He wants to race to the object of his affection, and overwhelm her with his eagerness. He still tells her to prepare, however. "Here I come," he says. He's "bringing you a love that's true," and he's "gonna try to make you love me too," but offers no specifics on how she should go about doing that. How does one prepare for that?
There are the questions for reflection: How do you prepare for a love that's true?
How do you get ready for a love that saves?
