Our readings this week from the book of the prophet Isaiah provide a beautiful focus for our Advent journey—the firm foundation provided by our God. We respond in song, “A strong city have we…a nation of firm purpose you keep in peace.”

Our Gospel reading also focuses on firm foundations. Jesus tells us, “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock…”

Whether we realize it or not, every day we are seeking to build our lives on a foundation that will last. The question is, how can we know the foundation we’re building on is the right one and won’t come crumbling down at any moment like a stack of blocks? In essence, how do we decide what to give our lives to – our future, our finances, our moment-by-moment choices between right and wrong?

Jesus’ words today point to the two pillars of the Christian life upon which our firm foundation is built – contemplation and apostolic action. Saint Peter Julian Eymard was convinced that a life cannot be fully Eucharistic unless it is consecrated to God (contemplation) and to people (apostolic action). Rule Number 4 from the Project of Life states, “We are called to live an authentically Eucharistic Christian spirituality… We associate ourselves to this gift that [Christ] makes of himself [contemplation], and we put ourselves at the service of the Kingdom [apostolic action], making our own the Apostle’s words: ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.’”

This Advent, can we commit to stepping away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations to focus on building a firm foundation through Eucharistic contemplation and apostolic action? Christ will truly be in Christmas if we do!

Let Us Pray:

Lord God, I need your wisdom. Send your Holy Spirit to me so that I can listen closely to your words today and act on them, according to your will. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.