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The Most Necessary Conversion (in Advent)

In response to several requests, here’s the wonderful quotation Scott read at the end of […]

David Zahl / 12.12.16

In response to several requests, here’s the wonderful quotation Scott read at the end of the most recent Mockingcast, taken from Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa second Advent sermon in 2008 to the Pontifical household:

This is the most necessary conversion for those who have already followed Christ and have lived at his service in the Church. An altogether special conversion, which does not consist in abandoning what is evil, but, in a certain sense, in abandoning what is good! Namely, in detaching oneself from everything that one has done…

This emptying of one’s hands and pockets of every pretension, in a spirit of poverty and humility, is the best way to prepare for Christmas. We are reminded of it by a delightful Christmas legend that I would like to mention again. It narrates that among the shepherds that ran on Christmas night to adore the Child there was one who was so poor that he had nothing to offer and was very ashamed. Reaching the grotto, all competed to offer their gifts. Mary did not know what to do to receive them all, having to hold the Child in her arms. Then, seeing the shepherd with his hands free, she entrusted Jesus to him. To have empty hands was his fortune and, on another plane, will also be ours.

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