He’s Closer Than You Think!
December 10, 2025
Fr. John Riccardo
Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord (James 5:7-10).
“You keep using that word. I do not think you know what it means.”
Those familiar with the cult classic “Princess Bride” will recognize that line. If you haven’t seen the movie, it’s spoken by a character after another character repeats over and over and over again, “Inconceivable!” That line came back to me as the season of Advent began. Advent is an overly familiar word to many of us, but I wonder if we really know what it means. I know I had to freshen up a bit this year.
Generally speaking, the Latin word adventus means coming, or arrival. But there’s much more behind this word than meets the eye. You wouldn’t use it to describe, say, grandma coming for Thanksgiving (no offense to grandmas!). Adventus was an empire word. It had to do with a very specific ceremony in the Roman Empire.
In short, adventus described what took place when the emperor arrived on a visit to one of his cities, often after — or to commemorate — a significant military victory. The people in the city would be alerted that kurios caesar, that is the lord Caesar, the savior of the empire, was going to come for a royal visit. Accordingly, they would get busy preparing the outside of their homes, streets, and various other monuments so as to properly celebrate his arrival, since the emperor’s victory, at least in theory, ensured their protection and defense. As the emperor got closer and closer, scouts would send word and then various leaders would go and wait for him outside the gates of the city. There they would stay until he arrived. Once he came, they would escort him into his city to celebrate both his coming and his victory.
This is in the background of all James is writing about. When he says, “The Judge is standing before the gates”, he means to communicate that the true and only Lord and Savior, Jesus, the one who single-handedly defeated by His cross and resurrection the cosmic powers of Death, Sin and hell that had terrorized and enslaved the human race, is getting near. He is going to take possession of this world and recreate it, making all things new. For those of us skeptical about this, consider that He’s one week closer than He was last week.
James is issuing something of a warning to us: Jesus is already at “the gates of the city”, for He’s not in some distant land right now, or a galaxy far, far away. We just can’t know for certain when He’s going to appear and enter. And He wants it that way. It keeps us in a constant state of preparation. Or, rather, it should.
Given all of this, a few questions arise in my own mind as I pray with James this week. Am I truly ready for His arrival? Do I live in a state of expectation for that day? What do I need to do to prepare the “streets” of the city that is my life, or the “facade” that is my mind and heart? I’m especially lingering with James’ words to us this week with regards to complaining. I, for one, do a lot of complaining about people. At least in my thoughts. To what end? Is it useful? Even more, is it appropriate? After all, Jesus warns us that when He arrives, and history comes to a close, “the measure with which we measure will in turn be measured out to us.”
ACTS XXIX Prayer Intentions
December 2025
For our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, that the Father would clothe him with courage and ardent charity, so that his shepherding may boldly lead the Church to the renewal and rescue God desires for His family in these days.
That as we close out the jubilee year of hope late this month, each of us will be ever more filled with this supernatural virtue, and be even more intentional about showing an anxious and watching world who God is and invite them into his family.
For our mission in the Diocese of Beaumont, TX, that our time with the presbyterate would be marked by the power of the Gospel, becoming an occasion of rescue, deep renewal, and lasting transformation for them and the people they shepherd.
For those who will join us from across the country for a Leadership Immersive, that the Father would rekindle in us His vision for the Church, restore our identity as His sons and daughters, and send us back into the world to continue His work of recreation.
For all prayer, planning, and preparation for The Jesus Conference: Mobilizing the Church for the World He Loves, that the Holy Spirit would lead, direct, and inspire every decision, so that this gathering becomes a catalyst for the rescue, renewal and transformation of the human family.
For Fr. John Riccardo, the ACTS XXIX missionaries, and our families, that this Advent and Christmas would overwhelm us anew with wonder at the rescue God has accomplished in Jesus, and that we may become radiant witnesses of hope to a weary and crying world.
For our Episcopal Advisory Council, Board of Directors, and faithful partners in mission, that this holy season would be for them a fresh encounter with Jesus the Rescuer - healing, strengthening, and anointing them for the bold mission entrusted to us in these glorious days.
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