Sermons Based on the Lectionary of the Church

How and Why Should You Prepare?

by Mathews David, Randolph, NJ

Glory be to the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. One true God.

Every day we prepare ourselves for lot of things:

We prepare our body for a good look. (Powder, lipsticks, color the face, hair, polish the nails etc. etc.)
We prepare our body for strength. ( Eat well, vitamins, organic foods, Exercise, medications etc. etc)
We prepare to increase our knowledge. ( Go to school/College, training, BS, MS, Ph. D, etc. etc. , become experts.)

These are all good and we do need them. But aren’t we all forgetting to prepare for a much greater/important preparation.

What is that?

That is what we heard in today’s(12/5/2010) reading of the Gospel.

Luke Ch.1:76

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
You shall go before Him to prepare His ways. Prepare to receive Him.

Now, as we celebrate the first Advent ( Arrival/Coming) of our Lord, Let us prepare our soul/spirit to receive Him. (Jesus the Christ.)

How should we prepare?

Luke Ch 1:80.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
Luke Ch.2:40
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Let us strengthen our soul/spirit.

How can we achieve that? How can we strengthen our soul?

Deuteronomy Ch.5:1
And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.

That is : Listening, Learning & Obeying.

Isaiah 58:7,8
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.

That is when we get the authority to overcome evil/Satan., worldly temptations.

It is by His authority vested (settled/ absolute/clothed) in us that we can stop Satan/ Evil and other worldly temptations.

The 18 wheeler Truck stops at the sign of the police officer. It is not his strength but his authority ( his Badge/ His uniform) that made the truck stop.

So, be prepared, Wear the Uniform and show the authority.

What is the Uniform that strengthens the spirit?

Ephesians 6:13-18
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
So, the more prepared we are, the more authority we will receive, the more strong our spirit will be.

What does He say about those prepared people?

Mathew Ch.25:10.
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

What about the unprepared people?

Mathew Ch.25:11,12
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Friends, Don’t be the one who will be shut out. Don’t be the one who will be late. Don’t be the one who is unprepared. Instead be the one that is with Him, Be early, Be prepared.

Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer;

Let your life SHINE and that light should guide others.

May the lord richly and abundantly bless us and guide us.

See Also:

What will this child be?
by Rev. Fr. V.V. Paulose

Devotional Thoughts for Children's Sunday
by Rev. Fr. George Mathew

Devotional thoughts for the Sunday of the birth of St. John the Baptist
by Jose Kurian Puliyeril

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