By the Faithful Disciple
GROW
In a nineteenth-century sermon, St. John Henry Newman wrote of today’s Gospel: “[Jesus] mercifully whispers into our ears – not to share in the general unbelief [around us], not to be carried away by the world but to ‘beware, keep alert’ and look out for his coming.” I love the thought that Jesus is “mercifully whispering” to us. Welcome to Advent! We know that Advent is a time of anticipation and preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ, but today’s readings also speak to me of training ourselves to be alert for God’s presence in the small, everyday moments of our lives. In his Letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes that “[we] are not lacking in any spiritual gift” as we await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are gifted with his grace. Our loving God bestows countless graces on us each day, and with the help of the Holy Spirit we can seek ways to be more aware of these graces. Yes, we can be more “alert” to them, but can also be thankful for these small moments of God’s presence with us.
How should we celebrate Advent and prepare for Christmas?
Come to Mass at least once a week, read daily reflections, pray rosary – if you
cannot recite an entire rosary, maybe one decade would certainly be simpler, read a short passage of the Bible every day during this season. How about confession before Christmas? When was your last confession? It’s a good time to think of that question. The children in the family can suggest this next possibility. Starting this evening, why not say grace before your evening meal and continue this practice throughout Advent? All it takes is one person saying, “Shall we pray now?”
Loving others as Jesus loved us would be demonstrated by the young people helping to do the household chores in thanksgiving for parents who clothe them, feed them, educate them and love them. Maybe, it might be a sign of love for Dad to take Mom out for a quiet dinner for two and let her forget about the hectic pace of preparing for the “big day.” And finally, remember there are those who are less fortunate than us. Food, toys, clothing or money donations were things that Jesus could have used in the manger. He’d much prefer we give them to those less fortunate.
The “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” is what we should prepare for. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is fine. The gifts, the shopping, the family gatherings are wonderful. But that’s the “commercial” Christmas.
“How am I going to prepare for the “spiritual” Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ?”
- P.S. Come and celebrate with us The Rorate Mass, the Candlelight Mass. Each week of Advent 2023 we’ll celebrate this Votive Mass in honor of the Virgin Mary. It has a long tradition in the Catholic Church. Each Mass we will start with a dark church and candles in our hands. The interplay of light and darkness speak to the meaning of Advent and the coming of the Light of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord.
- 24/7 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: starts on Dec 18th at 7 pm, and finishes on Dec 19th at 7 pm. At 6.30 we will celebrate the devotion to St. Michael, and Mass at 7 pm.
- Confession 30 minutes before weekday Mass, Saturdays 3.30-4.30, and Family of Parishes Penitential Service on Dec 20th at 7 pm in our church.
Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus! -Fr. Tom