I like, from time to time, to share readings from one of my favorite Medjugorje - related books, Medjugorje: Day by Day by Richard J. Beyer. The December 21st reflection is especially important in our current age:
December 21
Do not look toward material things
During Advent of 1985 Our Lady said:
Dear children I am calling you to prepare yourselves for Christmas by means of penance, prayer, and works of charity. Dear children do not look toward material things, because then you will not be able to experience Christmas. (WM 12-5-85)
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St. Paul also warns of materialism or "worldly desires":
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Ti 2:11-13).
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Reflection: Many of us are aware of the hollowness of a materialistic attitude during the Christmas season, of how it can smother the spiritual message of Christ's birth. In this vein, the Second Vatican Council stated:
Since in our times, variations of materialism are rampant everywhere, even among Catholics, the laity should not only learn doctrine more carefully, especially those main points which are the subjects of controversy, but should also provide the witness of an evangelical life in contrast to all forms of materialism (The Laity, 31).
We are called, then, not just to avoid materialism in our own lives, but to serve as an example to others of simplicity of lifestyle and the priority of spiritual values over the material.
Application: Let us simply take Our Lady's advice today to, "prepare ... for Christmas by means of penance, prayer, and works of charity ... do not look toward material things because then you will not be able to experience Christmas."
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