Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit …

The father could not cope with his rebellious son, so he sent him to the monastery for re-education. “What should we do with him?” The monks asked. The abbot thought for a moment and said, “Leave him alone. Let him be here with us and watch how we live.” After some time, the father stopped in the monastery and was surprised at how his son treated him. He could not stand it and asked, “What have they done to you?” The young man smiled: “You know, those monks believe that every person can be an angel, and that is why they treat him with immense respect and love. And when they treat others like that, over time, it changes those people into the way they see them.” The father was amazed and even asked the abbot himself, “Do you really think that we should treat people as if they were angels?” The abbot looked at him and said, “An angel is a messenger of God. And every person can be one in their own way.” Then the man interrupted him and said, “Well, I can imagine that a religious person can be a messenger of God because they live in communion with God, but there are so many evil, sinful, and cruel people in the world. How could they be messengers of God?” The abbot said, “A meeting with a good person will encourage you in faith and love. A meeting with a bad person will test your faith and love. Both are necessary. Sometimes we are full of goodness, and sometimes we are full of anger and malice. And therefore, regardless of what happens, let us try to perceive everyone we meet as a messenger of God. And whether he brings good or evil, let us always ask: “Lord, why did you send this person into my life? What message did you want to convey through this? ”And let us express thanks for every encouragement and trial. It is not easy, but, as you see, it also bears its fruit.”

In the Advent season, we must prepare the way for the Lord within ourselves. He wants to rejoice in us and glorify the Father for the graces addressed to the right recipient. Let us allow Jesus to exult within himself and above himself: I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…

There is a well-known thesis: “So far, philosophers have only explained the world in various ways, but from now on, the point is to change it!” Or in a kind of secessionist antithesis: “So far, philosophers have only changed the world, but now, the point is to explain it!” Jesus did not come to explain the world or change it; he was sent to save it. Jesus Christ is the messenger of the Father—the God of love, who can do this in every heart, including yours.