Advent (thurs)Day 5: Going Forth to Christ

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
from all its iniquities.
Psalm 130 [129]: 5-8

Going Forth to Christ – Thomas Merton
Advent is the “sacrament” of the PRESENCE of God in His world, in the Mystery of Christ at work in History…This mystery is the revelation of God Himself in His Incarnate Son.  But it is not merely a manifestation of the Divine Perfections, it is the concrete plan of God for the salvation of men and the restoration of the whole world in Christ.
This plan is envisaged not as a future prospect but as a present fact.  The “last things” are already present and realized in a hidden manner.  The Kingdom of God is thus already “in the midst of us.”  But, the mystery can only be known by those who enter into it, who find their place in the Mystical Christ, and therefore find the mystery of Christ realized and fulfilled in themselves.     (Seasons of Celebration)

PRAYER of ACTION
Lord Jesus, assuage our blindness and activate our hearts during this Advent, so that we may find your presence hidden in ourselves.  May we unveil the mystery of Christ-with-us and work toward the true restoration of the whole world in your image.  Let your light shine in our hearts so that we may always know the truth of your love.  Amen.