The Word is Coming: Will We Recognize Him?

Keeping watch and waiting for the Lord is part of the mystery of Advent Prayer.
If we keep faithful to the discipline of this Advent,
a grace that we do not expect will seize us
and we will find ourselves plunged into the most beautiful paradoxes:

With Divine Power, the Word is coming in a new way, and
we cannot presume we will recognize Him.

Just as fasting from physical food
keeps us spiritually hungry for the Bread of Life, and

Interrupting our sleep for prayer
helps our hearts find rest in the Prince of Peace, and

Pondering His teaching with our hearts
humbles our intellect and baptizes our imagination in glory:

So too setting aside our daily routine for the sake of our neighbor
aids us in our quest
For the One who has set aside everything for us.

Photo via Unsplash by Jarl Schmidt

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Anthony Lilles

Anthony Lilles, STD, a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, completed his graduate and post-graduate studies in Rome at the Angelicum. His expertise is in Saint Elisabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church. He is currently a professor of spiritual theology at St Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, CA. Previously he was a founding faculty member of St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, and afterwards an associate professor at St John’s Seminary for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. In 2012, Discerning Hearts published his book "Hidden Mountain, Secret Garden: A Theological Contemplation on Prayer,". Through Emmaus Press, he and Dan Burke wrote "30 Days with Teresa of Avila"and Living the Mystery of Merciful Love: 30 Days with Therese of Lisieux. . And, his book "Fire from Above" was published in 2016 by Sophia Institute Press. Prof. Lilles assisted Dan Burke in founding the Avila Institute and the High Calling Program for priestly vocations. He podcasts at www.discerninghearts.com, offers retreats to religious communities, gives spiritual conferences and lectures on the Catholic Spiritual Tradition.