Fr. Frank Majka, SJ – The Bridge

100% Good News?

The Messiah is coming! That’s the good news of Advent. But when he comes we can presume things won’t stay the same, and that can be a bit unsettling.

So, we might ask ourselves, as we prepare for Jesus’ coming, if there are any changes his coming would bring that we might not like. Are there ways of thinking and acting that we don’t want messed with, material possessions or relationships we want to keep but which Jesus might want us to give up?

Change isn’t easy even when we know it’s for the better. For instance, if schools stop serving junk food like high-fat fries and high-sugar soda, you can bet some students won’t like it, and some parents may object if the items on the new menu cost more.

Advent gives us some time to get our heads and hearts ready for Jesus by becoming aware what changes his coming might call for, especially ones to which we may feel resistant. Advent also gives us time to pray for the grace to welcome him and accept all that his coming will offer us even if it challenges us to change who we are and what we do.