Daily Time for Jesus

The saying goes: If the devil cannot make you bad, he will make you busy. Oh, how true that is! So busy, so distracted, there is no daily time for Jesus.

Putting off Scripture readings and prayer may seem harmless at first. However as pending matters of the day take precedence, tending to spiritual needs becomes an afterthought to eventually no thought at all. Truly, daily time for Jesus is precious!

Such time is an opportunity to explore and deepen our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Without daily prayerful conversation and contemplation, we lose close touch with God’s Word and His Love. Personally, I lost that touch. Now I am trying to regain it by setting aside my preoccupations and making time and space for our Lord.

Being Faithful

Each day gives us an opportunity to grow in faithfulness. “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work” [2 Timothy 3:16–17]. Jesus, the Word Incarnate, shows us the way.

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him” [John 14:23]. Truly, each day gives us an opportunity to receive Heaven’s graces and blessings, strengthening our faith. Otherwise, how can we see what our Lord wants us to see?

We are precious in our Lord’s eyes. We are children of God with fruits of the Holy Spirit. “He who has grafted us onto the true vine will make us bear ‘the fruit of the Spirit: … love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control’” [CCC 736]. For this purpose, Jesus gives us his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, and forgives our sins.

Through Him, with Him, and in Him, Jesus transforms us as we grow faithfully in God’s love and wisdom. Should we not feel this growth, let us not be tempted by distractions. As St. Paul prays, may we be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God” [Philippians 1:11].

Advent of Joy

The devil wants to prevent us from seeing in ourselves God’s work of love. “For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them” [Ephesians 2:10]. Since our Lord does not give up on us, let us not give the devil the upper hand by neglecting ourselves spiritually.

Therefore, as we approach Advent—amidst the busiest season of the year—will we have daily time for Jesus? Should we have any doubts, our Lord gives us Mary, our Blessed Mother for guidance. We find the Cause of Our Joy in Mary because she delivered Jesus into the world and shared him with those who sought to follow him.

Our Lady continues to share her Son with humanity. Through her intercessions, Mary draws us to Jesus. By way of her apparitions, Mary urges us to follow Jesus and receive his love. The Lord’s love that dwells within us is for us to faithfully share with one another. Yes, by making daily time for Jesus we can be cause of joy for our Lord. Amen!