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From the Pastor's Desk: November 29, 2020
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1st Sunday of Advent
Today we begin 4 weeks of the holy Season of Advent. The word "Advent” derives from Latin and literally means "arrival", "coming". It was used by the rulers of ancient times, especially in the East, to indicate the ritual with which they wanted to solemnly celebrate their arrival (in fact, their "coming") in a city. They demanded to be welcomed as benefactors and gods. For the Christian liturgy, the choice to use this term for the "coming" of Jesus Christ, the true giver of salvation and redemption among men in the great cities of this world, was therefore consistent with the mentality of ancient times.
For us, the real "advent" coincides with the celebration of Christmas, which indicates the period of preparation for the feast of December 25th. The Sundays of Advent are intended to keep us alive with vigilance of expectation. These are Sundays when we are reminded that to have faith means to make fruitful preparation for the “gift” that will be placed in our hands.
Today the Church begins a new liturgical year that offers a new start to live with and in Jesus. We have the option to become a testimony of His loving redemption, to share in it through who we are and what we do, and finally to recall our own eternal destiny. To grasp our attention and enter into a deeper meaning of this new liturgical year, we will focus on the Gospel of Mark. The colors change from green to violet and the new season begins with encouraging words of Jesus to His disciples, "Be watchful! Be alert! Be prepared!” To be alert amid the hustle of the secular "holiday season," Jesus' urgency may be just what we need to jolt us into Advent as the special time of preparation for Christmas for the coming of Jesus Christ, the true giver of salvation and redemption of humanity.
Therefore, during this holy season we are confronted again with the question so vital for us Christians: what place do I give Christ in my life? Am I close to Him? In this short few weeks of preparation and anticipation for the coming of Christ in Christmas, we should let go of our cares and worries a bit and enjoy at least a few minutes each day the luxury of taking time to remember God’s faithfulness, to alert ourselves to the many blessings we have received and to recognize God’s love and care in our everyday busyness and concerns. In this time we need to turn our hearts toward the Lord who especially now is near to us. We have to become vigilant to His presence, not only in our own little world but in the Church and in the wide world. Our Lord is coming! Be watchful! Be alert!
I would like to invite each one of you to register for the Best Advent Ever Program offered through Dynamic Catholic. This year’s program is all about the daily Gospel readings of Advent. You will be given powerful daily video reflections all through Advent. Receive the reflections free in your email by signing up here: https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/best-advent-ever.html
The Parish Advent Penance Service will be on Wednesday, December 9th at 7:00 pm. Please plan your calendar to attend. I would encourage children and parents participating in Family Faith Formation, Confirmation students and parents to come. We will have a number of priests to assist us with stations inside and outside of the church. We want to give everyone an opportunity to participate yet still be mindful of the COVID-19 guidelines.
As we begin the season of Advent, it is my prayer that we will take seriously this special opportune time to prepare the doors of our hearts and open them wide for Christ.
With prayers, Fr. Andy
