Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the banquet lies before us today. It is not some superficial place that we will get to eventually after we pass away…it is here….it is now. The Gospel today says: “Come NOW, for all things are ready.”
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, remember…this…gospel lesson. Read it over and over again. Study the invite that has been given to you by the Holy Forefathers, Apostles, Saints, and Fathers of the Church.
"So rather than all the nonsense that the world says is so important to our happiness, we should follow St. Paul’s direction, and speak “to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” That is exactly what we do at each Divine Liturgy and every service of the Church. The focus has always been Christ, Who is celebrated without all the trappings. A Christmas with Christ is the one gift that fits all, is the perfect color, and no one will be boxing up to return to the store the next day. Salvation is the gift that you will want to keep this year."
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, let us strive this advent season not to be called a “fool” by our Lord. Let us not be blinded by all of the noise in our lives, and instead focus on gaining clarity for what the Incarnation means for our lives. If you have not already, practice a daily devotion to God, take a few minutes at the beginning and the end of your busy days to “let the glitter settle”, so that you able to see more clearly what your purpose is in this life.
If it has not already, the turbulence of life will eventually catch up to everyone that is sitting here today. And in the midst of grief, if we have not learned to put our complete trust and life in God, nothing will be clear. But if we train ourselves to keep calm…and say, “Lord have mercy”, we will be given the grace to go through life and take whatever comes…because we know that the presence of our Lord has overcome the world.
He did not come to save us from sickness and death…but rather THROUGH sickness and death…and this knowledge will give us the strength to face the trials of life with peace.
