Prepare your heart

It is with loving anticipation that we want to prepare to welcome Jesus: at Christmas, which we will celebrate in a few weeks; at the end of time, when he returns in glory; every day, when he comes to meet us in the Eucharist, in his Word, in our brothers and sisters, especially those who are most in need.

This is why, in a special way during these weeks, let us carefully prepare the house of our hearts, so that it may be orderly and welcoming. To watch, in fact, is to keep the heart ready. It is the attitude of the watchman who, in the night, does not give in to weariness, does not fall asleep, but remains awake awaiting the coming light. The Lord is our light, and it is good to prepare the heart to welcome Him through prayer and to receive Him through charity, the two preparations which, so to speak, put it at ease. In this regard, it is said that Saint Martin of Tours, a man of prayer, after giving half of his cloak to a poor man, dreamed of Jesus clothed in precisely that part of the cloak he had given away. Here is a beautiful program for Advent: to encounter Jesus who comes to every brother and sister who needs us and to share with them what we can: listening, time, and practical help.

Dear friends, it does us good today to ask ourselves how to prepare a welcoming heart for the Lord. We can do this by drawing near to His forgiveness, His Word, His Table, by finding spaces for prayer, by welcoming Him in those who are in need. Let us cultivate His expectation without being distracted by so many useless things and without constantly complaining, but by keeping our hearts alert, that is, longing for Him, awake and ready, eager to meet Him.

May the Virgin Mary, woman of waiting, help us to welcome her Son who is coming.

POPE FRANCIS