Come Away By Yourselves

The three Magi give us an example of humility and daring.  Their three gifts each symbolize an aspect of the Mystery of Christ.  Christ is King, Victim, and God.  In our own way, we can give him Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, with our generosity, our spirit of sacrifice, and our adoration.  The gifts of the Magi remind us of the greatest gift of Christmas, the gift of Christ himself.  In Christ we receive countless spiritual gifts.  These are meant to be freely accepted and also shared with the world. 

https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

Our desire to see Jesus this Christmas is a deep desire to see God.  Made for heaven, we will be unfulfilled until we see God "face to face."   The Church calls the sight of God in heaven the "beatific vision."  Our earthly happiness also depends on our seeing God in Christ.  This happens in our faith and in our prayer.   Only by purifying our ideas and desires for happiness, making them correspond more perfectly to our true goal, will we be content in this life and happy forever in the next. 

https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

Originally published 12/21/2020. 

We can join Mary and Joseph on their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  The divine adventure that they were on was filled with trust in God, which counteracted their natural concerns and fears.  The silent presence of Jesus within his Mother's womb was a source of wonder, love, and prayer for Mary and Joseph.  Jesus's silent presence in Mary and his silent sleep in the manger has a profound meaning for times of spiritual dryness.  

Jesus comes to make us joyful.  He shares his joy with us and calls us to a deep happiness.  Our times of sadness and sorrow are certainly part of his plan for us, but they can coexist with a constant joy.   When we put too much value in passing things, of whatever kind, our joy becomes fragile and fleeting.  To make God our joy, by contrast, is to have a joy "that no one can take from you."  Not only is God the cause of our joy, but in his love for us we are also the cause of his joy.  

https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

God's victory over sin begins with his Mother's Immaculate Conception.  His mercy for us as sinners also includes our struggle against sin and eventually our complete purification.  The means we have are the same: openness to grace, use of our freedom, and having the Lord stay with us. 

https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

If you enjoy "Come Away by Yourselves", please take a moment to rate and review it wherever you listen to this podcast.  

Advent is a penitential season, a time to reckon with our sinfulness and to convert.  Conversion requires the belief that we can radically change with God's help.  God can fill the valley of our frustration and loneliness.  He can lower the mountain of our pride and self-reliance.  For this to happen, however, we have to desire it and ask for it with confidence. 

https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

In Advent we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas. Jesus, who found no room in the inn at Bethlehem, can find room in our souls and our lives if we prepare well for his coming. Making room for Jesus means clearing other things out, finding time for prayer, and welcoming him in others. 

Originally published 11/24/2020

On this Thanksgiving weekend, we take time to reflect on gratitude.  Gratitude is an essential act of prayer.  Being grateful is closely linked to joy and freedom from sadness and despair.  The grateful soul needs humility, temperance and chastity to continually recognize all of the gifts that come from God. 

For the study on gratitude and well-being, please visit: https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/how-to-flourish

https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

Christ's kingdom is hidden, progresses slowly, and respects our freedom.  It therefore has to be sought out, given time to develop, and freely assented to.   When recognized as our King, Christ brings peace and holiness to our souls.  

https://comeawaybyyourselves.com

The "end of the world" is the coming of Christ in power and glory.  As such, it is not so much a destructive end as it is a fulfillment and completion.   To be safe at the Lord's coming, at the time of judgment, we especially need to be truthful now.   The sure path of eternal life is the path which is Jesus himself: "the way, the truth, and the life."  This entails bravely overcoming our self-deception and "loving Jesus more than our sins."  Living in this way liberates us from fear of divine judgment, whether at our death or at the end of time. 

https://comeawaybyyourselves.com