"Ecce, Salvator Venit!"

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JMJ

Fourth Sunday of Advent

"Behold, the Savior comes!"

(The Roman Breviary)

In a few days, the Word of God made flesh will show Himself to the world. I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore have I drawn thee, taking pity on thee (Jer. 31.3). Yes, God has loved man from all eternity, and in order to draw him to Himself, He did not hesitate to send His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom. 8.3). And run we must to meet Divine Love Who Is to appear "incarnate" in the Infant Jesus, it must only be with hearts full - no "half-measures" (Our dear "Little Therese") - of charity: not philanthropy (the world's 'charity') which the wicked are still capable; but, that love which the Divine Spirit pours in the hearts of them who seek God and call upon Him in truth (Ps. 144.18, from the "Gradual" of today's Mass): a love that is faithful in great things as well as in small, an ingenious love that is always seeking opportunities to repay God's Love. "Love is repaid by love!" says our holy Father John of the Cross. This is the motto which has made Saints, and spurred a multitude of souls to greater generosity. With this kind of love prepare for Christmas, be in this love faithful, for, as St. Paul says in the Epistle (1 Cor. 4.1-5), it is required that [he] be faithful.

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths. Every valley shall be filled; and every mountain and hill shall be brought low. The voice of St. John the Baptist, the great Advent preacher, is heard again in today's Gospel (Lk. 3.1-16), inviting us to prepare the way of the Lord. This invitation is especially a call to to a truly profound humility. If the valleys, that is, our imperfections and deficiencies, are to be filled up by charity, then the mountains and hills, that is, the vain pretenses of pride and egoism, must be brought low by humility. A heart filled with self-love and pride cannot be filled with God for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble (Jas. 4.6).