The Lord Is With You: Week 4

 "Let's go! Let's go! I don't want to be late!" yelled Ross as he held the front door open.

  "I have to admit, I am really liking this new you," admitted Peggy.  She smiled and gave Ross a quick kiss on the cheek as she brushed past him.

  As he drove to church, Ross reflected on his Advent preparation. Perhaps this was the first year he truly made an effort to change. He never thought changing his attitude about the Mass would make such a difference. Before, he had put such little thought into attending Mass, and now it was the highlight of the week. Ross was also beginning to see why Peggy loved praying the Rosary so much. It was really nice that they were praying together as a family.

  Ross did his best to celebrate Mass with his heart as Jesus had asked.   "Lift up your hearts" with the response, "We lift them up to the Lord" had new meaning for Ross.  They were no longer just words recited, but rather an intentional action. As the Eucharistic prayer continued, Father Tom prayed, "Make holy, therefore, these gifts we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ." Then Ross saw a brilliant white flame come down upon the altar.  He couldn't believe what he was seeing.  His heart began to burn within him.  

  Internally Ross heard a voice, "Behold the Holy Spirit of God.  Prepare to receive Christ your King."

  In that instant of time, Ross allowed his heart to be filled with God's love.  He became acutely aware of his sinfulness and his need for healing. Today when Ross approached the Eucharist,  he brought a heart filled with new found reverence and awe. After consuming the Eucharist, Ross returned to his pew and fell to his knees, silently praising and thanking God. Mingled among his thoughts came John 3:16, "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but have eternal life."  As he looked up his eyes landed on the beautiful nativity scene sitting just in front of the altar. He found himself filled with new love for Mary and Joseph.  As he looked at the empty manger, Ross longed for the Christ child as he never did before.

  As the family left Mass that day, Joey said, "Guess what Dad?"

 "What?" answered Ross.

 "Only five more days to Christmas!"

  "Are you sure your ready for it?" asked Ross.

  "Yep!  I'm really looking forward to it!"

  "Me too," said Ross. "Me too!"

-Susan