atinywhisperingsound

"We know that there are three comings of the Lord.
The third lies between the other two.
It is invisible, while the other two are visible.

In the first coming he was seen on earth, dwelling among men;
he himself testifies that they saw him and hated him.

In the final coming all flesh will see the salvation of our God,
and they will look on him whom they pierced.

The intermediate coming is a hidden one;
in it only the elect see the Lord within their own selves,
and they are saved.

In his first coming our Lord came in our flesh and in our weakness;
in this middle coming he comes in spirit and in power;
in the final coming he will be seen in glory and majesty.

Because this coming lies between the other two,.
it is like a road on which we travel
from the first coming to the last.

In the first, Christ was our redemption;
in the last, he will appear as our life;
in this middle coming, he is our rest and consolation.

In case someone should think that
what we say about this middle coming is sheer invention,
listen to what our Lord himself says:

If anyone loves me, he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him. [. . .]

Let [God’s word] into your very being,
let it take possession of your desires
and your whole way of life.
Feed on goodness,
and your soul will delight in its richness. [. . .]

If you keep the word of God in this way,
it will also keep you.
The Son with the Father will come to you."
(Sermon by Abbot St. Bernard, quoted in Liturgy of the Hours, Vol. 1, 169 - 170)

Those who welcome the Word as the guest of their hearts will have abiding joy!

(Liturgy of the Hours, Vol. 1, 704)

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I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith.
Yes, may you come to know his love -- although it can never be fully known --
and so be completely filled with the very nature of God. (Eph 3:17, 19)

During this Advent season (Advent means coming.), we re-member (re-present) the first coming of Jesus Christ at his birth in Bethlehem; we look forward to his second coming with hope and longing; and we prepare our hearts, clear out the gunk in our hearts, and clean the room of our hearts, so that God will come to dwell within us with greater intimacy! I share with you this very brief selection that gave me reason to reflect.

Wishing you many blessings this Advent season!

God now truly dwells with men. (Rev. 21:3)