Seton Magazine Catholic Homeschool Articles, Advice & Resources
1st Week of Advent
Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Many people profess to be in Christ, but to truly follow Him means to do the will of the Father in every area of our lives. According to Jesus, there will be many (not a few) who will not make it to Heaven even though they professed His Name, called Him Lord, went to church and even carried out ministries in His Name. How sobering!
To do the will of the Father in Heaven means to act on what Christ teaches us in His Word and through the Catholic Church. We can study the Bible, memorize the Catechism, quote the saints, and read 50 religious books a year. But if we are not putting into practice the things which we study, memorize, and quote, we are not doing the will of the Father.
Advent is a time when we need to examine our lives openly and honestly before God to see what needs perfecting, changing, or elimination all together so that our hearts will be ready for the coming of Our Lord. Are there little patches of “unsurrendered” territory in the soil of your heart that you have not yet given over to God’s Spirit for changing? Are there areas in your life that you “know that you know that you know” are not God’s will for your life, but you have not been able to give it up in obedience to God?
In your journal, write about this area (or areas) and why you’re having a hard time yielding to God’s will concerning them. Why are you afraid to let go of it? What are you afraid will happen if you let go of it? Write also about a time when you did surrender your will to God. What benefits did you derive from your surrender? What did you learn? How did this impact your entire relationship with God, as well as your peace in Him?
