Pastoral Message December 1, 2024
This weekend we begin the season of Advent, a time to focus on being ready for the Lord to come to us. He came to the world on the first Christmas; he will return to the world at the end of time; he comes to us in his Word and the sacraments; he comes to us in the poor and disadvantaged. We hope to be always ready to meet him. In a recent letter Pope Francis wrote, “Holiness, rather than being the fruit of human effort, is making space for the action of God.”
- How can we make space for the action of God, especially during these weeks which tend to be very busy for us? Here are some humble ideas that may help:
- Get an Advent calendar. It will serve as a daily reminder to turn to the Lord in prayer.
- Make, or buy, an Advent wreath and use it every day. It’s a good symbol of preparing for the light of Christ.
- The prophet Isaiah is a good source of inspiration these days. Some good selections: Isaiah 7:14; 11:1-10; 25:6-10; 29:17-19; 40:1-11; and 48:17-19.
- John the Baptist has some important thoughts about how to prepare for the Lord: Luke 3:1-9.
- The Blessed Virgin Mary made space for the action of God by the way she prepared for the Lord’s birth: Luke 1:26-56.
- Go to at least one Advent / Christmas concert.
- Listen to Part One of Handel’s Messiah.
- Make sure you are not a Grinch or a Scrooge.
- Do something to help the poor and disadvantaged.
I know, I left out watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel and enjoying the parties and goodies of the season. There’s nothing wrong with those things, but I’m not sure how they help us to be ready for the Lord’s coming. Let’s be ready! Let’s make space for the Lord to act in us and through us!
I wish you a blessed Advent.
Blessings,
Fr. Philip
