
Reading 1
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD. Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day, and they shall be his people, and he will dwell among you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. The LORD will possess Judah as his portion in the holy land, and he will again choose Jerusalem. Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the LORD! For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.
REFLECTION: “Silence, all mankind, in the presence of the LORD! For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.”
I remember walking into my home parish church as a child and feeling peace wash over me. The cathedral-sized church was always quiet and had a way of capturing your attention with its vast atmosphere filled with silence. The presence of the Lord seemed to command total respect. All external noise and commotion ceased and peaceful holiness, seemingly engraved in the building, permeated my soul.
Today, I feel blessed when I walk into a quiet Catholic Church. For many times, it seems people have their own agenda filled with worldly matters that spill into mass. Scenes of feeding toddlers, sounds of practicing musicians, technology in hands of the young, and daily conversations before and during mass are all too common. A sense of distraction can ensue as everyone tries to meet their needs before and during the holy sacrifice of the mass. Of course, somethings cannot be avoided, but is there a sense of awe so powerful, that no words can pass our lips as we enter into the house of God, the portal to heaven?
Mother Mary was “a holy dwelling” for Jesus as she carried Him in her womb and brought Him into this world. Today’s feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated to remember how Mary’s motherly love and mercy brought God’s presence on earth and led us toward heaven. She requested a church to be built and the people’s answer brought many into the faith. As Christmas approaches, let us ask Mother Mary to help us set aside everything of this world and prepare to enter into the peaceful presence of God, as “he stirs forth from his holy dwelling”.
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