Come, Lord Jesus, Come

Now well into the journey of Advent, we recall the resounding words of the prophet Isaiah, “On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and upon his roots a bud shall blossom.”  And upon this shoot shall bring forth justice, knowledge and peace, the lion to lay down with the lamb.  There will be a new, righteous relationship of God and his people:  a fear of the Lord based in humble amazement reverence and reciprocity.  All gifts will lead to a new relationship with God, a new plan, a new king; clearly, God’s king, beginning here:  with a little child to guide them. 

Where shall he be found?  Again, the words of Isaiah, echoed in the mission of John the Baptist: “A voice crying out in the desert.  Prepare the way of the Lord.  Make straight his path.”   The finding of Jesus begins in the desert.  We look to the desert inside ourselves and make straight his path.  Along the way Jesus finds us.  This is our Advent journey: Prepare the way of the Lord.

"All gifts will lead to a new relationship with God, a new plan, a new king; clearly, God’s king, beginning here:  with a little child to guide them."

As Joseph and Mary, heavy with child, take the next steps through their desert, wondering what awaits them in Bethlehem, a manger has quietly been set aside by divine providence.  They will not find a cradle for a nativity brilliant with fruits, flowers and decorations.  The tiny Lord will be born into a place of poverty and darkness in a forgotten corner of the world, according to a new plan.  The Lord Jesus comes humbly, visible only to those who meet him on their knees.  This is a new plan, a new king; clearly, God’s king. 

Come, Lord Jesus, Come.  Our path returns us to the desert, away and apart from whatever plateau we may have achieved.  Have we come closer to Jesus over the past year?  Rather, do we realize how much closer he has come to us?  He is closer to us than before whether we feel that or not.  He is knocking at the door.  Open the door.  Let us prepare to receive the tiny little Lord, coming humbly in his own fashion, into our hearts.  Allow him to grow and make progress there.  May he be born and ascend to his youthfulness on the steps of his life, and may his life be yours.

Come, Lord Jesus, Come.        

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+Most Reverend Stephen J. Berg

Bishop of Pueblo

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