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
