As we proceed through the season of Advent, our planning and preparations are well under way. We know what we want to do and we know how we want to do it – we have a plan.
Plans are all very good but without action, nothing happens and nothing gets done.
Our Scripture Readings in Advent deal with preparing the way for the Lord just as He will gather the lambs in His arms [Isaiah]. St Peter’s Epistle and Mark’s Gospel encourage us to repent – John the Baptist is preparing the way for the arrival of Jesus – there is a plan and it is actioned.
During this past year, Covid has had a significant impact on all our lives. Our plans and resolutions for 2020 needed to change and adjust as we were in ‘lockdown’ As we near the end of 2020 and as we progress through this season of Advent, perhaps it is time to reflect on where we are. Each of us can help others to love more. Just as John the Baptist promised that Jesus “will baptise you with the Holy Spirit”, and I believe the Holy Spirit to be the Love which unites the Trinity, which “is” the Trinity.
God’s Love is available to all, perhaps we each need to show love for ourselves – to adopt some “me time” during Advent. There is nothing selfish about having time for ourselves, loving the person that we are so that each can help people to love more. Perhaps it is time to be kind to the person that is me.
At the daily Covid Press Conferences we hear about the “R Rate” or the “Reproductive Rate”. Let each of us start by loving ourselves and then each can help people to love more. Our challenge is to have an “R Rate” of greater than one in spreading God’s love; what a difference we can all make
Be baptised with the Holy Spirit – each of us can help others to love more.