This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is small print. It is 382 pages long with about another 90 pages of retreat meditations and reflections. It is great Advent reading.
Advent invites us to look at the second coming of Christ. Are we ready?
Let's look at a few things 2020 has brought us:
Vile politics
Corruption on many different levels
Pandemic
Societal shutdown
Financial collapse
Looting
Rioting
Debates on Science versus a political agenda
Probable rise in domestic violence (anecdotal evidence)
Probable rise in suicides (preliminary statistics)
Cancellation of graduations, weddings, funerals, etc.
Inability to visit loved ones in hospitals or nursing homes
That is just a partial list. What has been the result? We have a country split in half. Regardless of who eventually becomes president on January 20, half of the country will see the election as illegitimate. Trust has been eroded in our processes. It will be nearly impossible to ever get that trust back. Many people will never believe that their vote truly matters.
Speculation or conspiracy theories have run rampant. Is there any truth in some of the ideas being floated? It really doesn't make any difference. There has been enough evidence to raise concerns about a variety of issues in the political arena.
Perception eventually becomes reality. The perception of many is that the swamp in D.C. is deep and wide and covers both major political parties. A large percentage of the population perceives that many of the politicians are just present to enrich themselves and wield power over others. The divide between the ultra-rich and the rest of us is huge, and that gap is not closing any time soon.
The media and tech giants are also looked upon with skepticism and disdain. We lose another safeguard to our republic when we lose an unbiased and uncensored media. Recent events have shown quite convincingly that there is bias as well as censorship. This isn't about one political party winning or losing any longer. This is about maintaining our freedom.
As I review all of these events and actions, it seems we have been sent an important message in 2020. Prepare the way of the Lord. Let's not put our trust in political leaders. Let's put our trust in the King of Kings.
Advent invites us to look at the second coming of Christ. Are we ready?
Let's look at a few things 2020 has brought us:
Vile politics
Corruption on many different levels
Pandemic
Societal shutdown
Financial collapse
Looting
Rioting
Debates on Science versus a political agenda
Probable rise in domestic violence (anecdotal evidence)
Probable rise in suicides (preliminary statistics)
Cancellation of graduations, weddings, funerals, etc.
Inability to visit loved ones in hospitals or nursing homes
That is just a partial list. What has been the result? We have a country split in half. Regardless of who eventually becomes president on January 20, half of the country will see the election as illegitimate. Trust has been eroded in our processes. It will be nearly impossible to ever get that trust back. Many people will never believe that their vote truly matters.
Speculation or conspiracy theories have run rampant. Is there any truth in some of the ideas being floated? It really doesn't make any difference. There has been enough evidence to raise concerns about a variety of issues in the political arena.
Perception eventually becomes reality. The perception of many is that the swamp in D.C. is deep and wide and covers both major political parties. A large percentage of the population perceives that many of the politicians are just present to enrich themselves and wield power over others. The divide between the ultra-rich and the rest of us is huge, and that gap is not closing any time soon.
The media and tech giants are also looked upon with skepticism and disdain. We lose another safeguard to our republic when we lose an unbiased and uncensored media. Recent events have shown quite convincingly that there is bias as well as censorship. This isn't about one political party winning or losing any longer. This is about maintaining our freedom.
As I review all of these events and actions, it seems we have been sent an important message in 2020. Prepare the way of the Lord. Let's not put our trust in political leaders. Let's put our trust in the King of Kings.
I took some themes from St. Alphonsus' book and connected appropriate Scripture passages to the theme. The three quotes in the middle of the page seem especially pertinent in today's society. I provide this list as a simple way to encourage you to meditate upon your own spiritual journey. Are you walking humbly with your God?
I challenge you to make this Advent journey the best one of your life. Be watchful!
I challenge you to make this Advent journey the best one of your life. Be watchful!
RSS Feed
