Stay Awake!
Advent's first Sunday
Dear Friends,
Happy New (liturgical) Year! Can you believe that Advent is already here?
Advent is a season of preparation. By reflecting on the several advents – the several comings – of Christ these next few weeks, the Church encourages us to renew our lives by re-upping our allegiance to Jesus, the Newborn King whose glorious return we eagerly await.
Our short season begins by focusing on Jesus' second coming, leaving the last week or so before Christmas as a run up to his birth in Bethlehem nearly 2,000 years ago.
In this weekend's Gospel Jesus exhorts his disciples to stay awake, to not be caught off guard by the end of the world as they know it and to be prepared for the coming of God's Kingdom.
This vigilance is important in every season of Christian life. All too often we are consumed with worldly endeavors and comforts that, in the end, come to nothing. This leaves us with little energy, time, and attention to invest in God and his purposes, which eternally endure.
Advent gives us a special opportunity to reverse this trend.
As in every season of preparation, a fruitful Advent requires the practice of penance. If we want to re-up our allegiance to Jesus - if we want to cultivate a deeper love of God, self, and neighbor - then we have to recommit ourselves to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
With everyone around us celebrating xmas these next few weeks, this will be a big challenge. But we will take it on together! What one thing will you take on (or give up) in each category? Let me know, if you'd like to.
As we make our way through Advent, we'll know we're on the right track when we grow in our longing for Jesus; when we yearn for his return; and when we make the ancient Advent prayer, Marana tha (Lord, come!) our own.
Please know of my prayers for you and yours. I look forward to sharing this sacred season with you.
In Christ's Love,
Father Daniel
δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ
PS Join us this Wednesday at 7:00pm for an Advent lecture on the infancy narratives. See the flyer below for more information.
PPS We'll come back to the following Mass parts, the Missa de Angelis, for the Advent and Christmas Seasons:
Kyrie
Gloria (Christmas only)
Sanctus
Agnus Dei
Preparing for Mass?
Check out this weekend's readings:
First Sunday of Advent
