Advent calls us as Christians to
ponder again the mystery of our salva¬tion, our hope that there is an answer to
the riddle of earthy life with its passing joys, disappointments, sorrows, and
frustrations, and its apparently dark end in the oblivion of death. Does life go anywhere? Does it have any
meaning? Advent calls every one of us to stop in the struggle of life and to
look up, to recall the answer to the questions of life. We are on a journey to
our Father's house. The door has been opened to us by the Son of God, and the
way marked out. Advent invites us to look back over the long centuries, during
which the human race struggled on in shadows. Of course, there was always some
light. It began with the promise of a Redeemer who would crush the head of the
destroying Serpent, the Son of a woman at bitter enmity with evil. The
experience of human beings during those thousands of years of waiting is not so
different from the lives of those around us who live without the consolation of
faith and hope. They can accomplish much, but to what purpose? They can
struggle to live as well and as long as possible, but then they will sorrow as
those who have no hope. The Christian
should look at and listen to this darkness and confusion. Human existence for
the believer is always an advent, a waiting, a journey toward a destination,
toward the light. Begin Advent by recalling the long darkness endured by the
human race. Many are still in it. As believers, we have the faith to know that
God came to us through no merit of our own, and that He comes to us still by
His grace. He calls to us by His birth, His life, His terrible death, and His
glorious Resurrection. Advent reminds us that He will come again. So many
mysteries, so many questions, and so many answers. For the one with faith,
Advent should be a time of mystery, discovery, new insights, blessings, many
graces and a deeper joy as we celebrate this great season. Let us pray: O Lord, speak to my heart
during this season of grace, as you spoke to your prophets and saints. Remind
me again of the journey you call me to make and the work you would have me do.
I am your servant, O Lord. Speak to me in this holy season and turn my eyes to
watch for your coming.
O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ,
desire of every nation, Savior of all peoples,
come and dwell among us.
I hope you enjoy this beautiful
time in the church year.
Fr. Phil
