Click here to read the daily readings from the USCCB website.

It's really important to consume good media. I don't necessarily know that "media" is the right word, but it's what I've got. When I say "media," I mean all those things that others create that I take in. For me, this includes books, movies, podcasts, music, Netflix, social media, and art. Especially after having just watched "The Social Dilemma" on Netflix (watch it), I'm very convicted that the content that we consume shapes our experience of the world.  For example, during the political season, I viewed everything that I experienced through the lens of whatever  political commentary podcast I was listening to. It wasn't super helpful for being empathetic to "the other side."

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you'll probably recognize how often I write about whatever book I'm reading. That's because I'm SUUUUUUUUPER selective about what I spend my time reading. I only want to read books that will enrich my life, and especially enrich me spiritually. I have an intense desire to experience all things true, good, and beautiful and I think books are a special way that God blesses me with these things. 

Today's another example of how the material that I consume impacts the way that I understand the world. Currently, I'm reading an amazing little book called "A Severe Mercy" by Sheldon Vanauken which is the story of his wife and his lives together, their conversion to Christianity, and her eventual untimely death (I haven't gotten that far yet. Get the tissues ready). 

I woke up early this morning to pray and read which is a habit I'm trying to re-establish for Advent as a way of drawing close to the Lord throughout my day and not just during my Holy Hour. The section that I read (and made me late to work) spoke extensively about how Christianity cannot be accepted in parts. As former pagans, the author and his wife clung to the title of "Christian." For them, to be a "Christian" meant to drink fully of the wine of Faith without watering it down by picking and choosing which beliefs were convenient for your frame of view. 

This was actually something that the author struggled with. At one point, he described the selfish desire to pursue his personal dreams without God. "He was too heavy. I wanted Him approving from a considerable distance. ... I wanted holidays from the school of Christ." 

Enter today's readings. Now this might not have been Paul's intention when He wrote this part of the letter to the Romans, but this is what I thought of as I read Paul's words.

"For one believes with the heart... But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed?"

To believe in Jesus is to believe in the whole or not at all. A Jesus of our own creation is no Jesus at all. To call upon a Jesus of our own creation is emptiness. He does not exist and thus cannot listen. 

But St. Andrew knew the true Jesus. He encountered Him in a real and profound way even before that day in the boat. Andrew sought after truth and didn't try to reframe what he learned to fit neatly in the paradigm of his own belief. Andrew allowed himself to be transformed by the real man of Jesus Christ and so when Jesus said "Come," he went. 

Whether we hear it or not, Jesus beckons us to "come after (Him)" daily. It's important to ask ourselves if we're listening to this Jesus, or if we're building up a false God on the sidelines of our life "approving from a considerable distance."

So this Advent I challenge you to get to know the person of Jesus Christ. He is really and truly knowable! Let Him converse with you through the Gospels. Let Him look into your eyes in adoration. Receive Him as a spouse in the Eucharist at mass. Sheldon and Jean Vanauken (the couple from this book) got to know Jesus by recognizing His personality in Scripture and seeing His face in genuine Christians (including C.S. Lewis!). Won't you seek to do the same?