The Father’s Will — A Reflection for Advent

by Deacon Michael Bickerstaff | December 1, 2022 12:04 am

An Advent Reflection on the Scripture Readings at Mass…

Jesus said to his disciples: “Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

The Father sent the Son. The Son did the will of the Father. He calls us to do the same.

It is impossible to contemplate God in a manger and on a cross and not see the unimaginable love of the Blessed Trinity for each of us. No matter how broken and damaged one is from sin you are, you are loved. The Son, through Whom you were made, has come for you… to redeem and restore you… to welcome you to His family… to invite you to turn from sin and do the will of the Father Who desires to grant you every good blessing.

This act of love cannot be met with indifference. Just as sin has a consequence for your life, so too does God’s love. If you accept God’s love and love Him in return, you will accept and receive His blessing. Jesus says that those who love Him obey the will of the Father. If you do not do the Father’s will, you do not love Him and you will not enter the Kingdom.

Come, Lord Jesus. Teach me to obey the Father, help me to act on your holy words.

Image credit: “The Exhortation to the Apostles” (detail) | James Tissot[1], Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Endnotes:

James Tissot: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Exhortation_to_the_Apostles_(Recommandation_aux_ap%C3%B4tres)_-_James_Tissot.jpg
Speaker Page: http://www.integratedcatholiclife.org/integrated-catholic-life-speakers-bureau/deacon-mike-bickerstaff/
Into the Deep: http://www.integratedcatholiclife.org/category/blogs/into-the-deep/
Follow @dcnmikebick: https://twitter.com/dcnmikebick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Source URL: https://integratedcatholiclife.org/2022/12/deacon-bickerstaff-the-fathers-will-a-reflection-for-advent/