"Yet, Lord, you are the Father; we are the clay and you are the potter: we are all the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64:7)
There is so much that is new as we gather today for the Eucharist. The words of the Mass have changed. The decor of the altar has changed to reflect the season of Advent. Yet, the one constant that never changes is the presence of the Lord in this sacred place and in this celebration. It is this Lord that we prepare to greet this Advent season as we will celebrate his coming into the world to make all things new. We are surrounded by change, but the question we must ask ourselves today is, "Are we ready to change?"
The one image that I take from this week's readings is the image of the clay and the potter. As we begin this Advent season may we surrender to the loving hands of our Father who seeks to make something new. He wants to mold us and fashion us into the image of his Divine Son. But do we trust Him? Are willing to start anew? We spend so much time preparing for Christmas: decorating, partying, and shopping. But how much time do we spend preparing our hearts for the coming of the Lord. All those people that stood in long lines for Black Friday were in search of something that will not bring them happiness and will definitely not bring them closer to Christ. What Christ wants for Christmas does not come in a box, it's not for sale, and it can't be bought. All he wants is our hearts: totally and completely. That is why we must allow the Potter to mold and fashion our hearts to be a worthy vessel for the coming of his Son. We must surrender to the Father's will and be different people on Christmas Day than we are today.
The Lord is coming. What will he find on Christmas morning? The same lump of clay? Or something beautifully re-created by his Father that was surrendered into His hands? This Advent, surrender yourselves into the hands of a loving God and watch how he transforms your life into something beautiful and new.
