“Be merciful just as your Heavenly Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36
A man came to Buddha and asked him, “Tell me, Buddha, are you a God?” “No, I am not a god.” “Are you an angel?” “No, I am not.” “Are you a prophet?” “No, not a prophet either.” “What are you then?” After which Buddha answered. “I am awake.” - The majority of people are unaware of their thoughts, feelings, and actions and operate like automatons. The enlightened, on the other hand, are those who are aware and awake. Let us make Advent 2023 a memorable experience by drinking a lot of WATER.
Word of God
Firstly, the Word of God should be read, listened to, meditated on, prayed over, and allowed to transform our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Availability
Secondly, we should be available to spend quality time with family, friends, neighbors, relatives, loved ones, and those who are marginalized. This involves going the extra mile to reach out to the needy and aligning our thoughts, feelings, and actions with those of the poor and less fortunate.
Trust in the ways of the Lord
Thirdly, we should have trust in the ways of the Lord, both in good and bad times, in sickness and in health, in joys and in sorrows. Gracious God, your ways are inscrutable, our ways are not your ways, nor our will your will. Jesus, I trust You at all times.
Elimination of Ego
Fourthly, in the pursuit of a deeper relationship with God, we must remember that ego is the veil that separates us from His presence. It is only by eliminating ego that we can truly experience the fullness of His love and grace, for in humility, we make room for God to work within us and through us. As we decrease, He increases, and His light shines brightly in our lives. Help me, O Lord, to let go of pride and self-importance, and instead, fill my heart with humility and selflessness.
Reconciliation
Receiving forgiveness from God and being ready to extend forgiveness to others. We cannot love and reconcile with God without first loving and reconciling with others. “Be merciful just as your Heavenly Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).
Are we ready to drink a lot of WATER during this season of advent?
by Rev. Justin D. Gnanamuthu, C.S.C.,
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, the fountain of living water, sometimes I am spiritually dehydrated and I thirst for you, fill me with your living water so that I am spiritually quenched from my spiritual aridity. Amen.