Q. 243:   Dismay, perplexity, death from fright, immanent tribulations: where is the Good News in today's gospel (Lk 21:25-28, 34-36)?

A. 243:  The Good News is that Jesus is coming again!   Those who do not have a healthy relationship with Jesus will not be prepared for his coming.   In Advent, we celebrate the Incarnation, the "first" coming of the Lord into our lives when he shared our humanity.   We also look forward to his "second" coming at the end of time.   In between those events, we celebrate his "daily" coming into our lives in Sacramental form - - in Holy Eucharist, in his Word, and in his saintly people who incarnate Jesus' love and suffering.

We cannot be properly prepared to receive Jesus without a healthy "fear of the Lord."   As the psalmist says, this is the beginning of wisdom (Ps 111:10).   Our Holy Father teaches us that Christ "wants us to have fear of all that is an offense against God" (Crossing the Threshold of Hope).   It is a holy fear, a constructive fear, a fear that prepares our hearts to be ready to receive Jesus at all times.

Above all, this "fear of the Lord" is a gift from the Holy Spirit.   It is one of the seven wonderful "sanctificatory" gifts we receive at Confirmation, gifts that help us grow in holiness (Isaiah 11:2).   It is a gift to help us on our journey to holiness and eternal life with God.   Pray for an increase in this gift during Advent season, to help us prepare our sinful hearts to receive Jesus.

Know Your Catechism! Pray for a renewal of the gift of fear of the Lord in your life, and with all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (CCC #1831).   We originally received these gifts through the ministry of the Bishop or his delegate at our Confirmation (CCC #1299).   "Reverential awe" is another way to describe this holy fear in God's presence (CCC #1303).   How can I "prepare" my heart in a meaningful way this Advent?   What does the dictionary reveal to me about the root meaning of "prepare"?   How does that relate to today's gospel? Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha

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