Happy New Year! This greeting can be made two times a year: Jan 1st, the start of the civil New Year, as well as the 1st Sunday of Advent—when the Church commences its Liturgical New Year. New Year, new start, new beginnings, bright future!
Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “Advent” from the Latin “Advenir” can be translated into “coming”; we await the coming of the Messiah.
Normally the success of any enterprise or undertaking is in proportion to the prior preparation. For a successful surprise Birthday party,
there need be a well-planned prior preparation. That being the norm, should we not make a
more serious and concerted effort to prepare for the Birthday of Jesus every
year. There was never a Person who came
into the world leaving such dramatic changes in just 33 years as did
Jesus. What then are practical and
realistic ways that we and our family can take for the coming of Jesus the
Lord? Off we go!
there need be a well-planned prior preparation. That being the norm, should we not make a
more serious and concerted effort to prepare for the Birthday of Jesus every
year. There was never a Person who came
into the world leaving such dramatic changes in just 33 years as did
Jesus. What then are practical and
realistic ways that we and our family can take for the coming of Jesus the
Lord? Off we go!
1. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Let us live spiritually and intensely this
Advent as if it were the last Advent in our life; indeed it could be because we
know neither the day nor the hour that the Lord could call us He said that he
would come like a thief in the night, at
the hour we least expect his coming! The
alarm clock has sounded: Let us wake up to the Lord’s call! We have one life to live; why not live it to
the max! As St. Peter Canisius said when advised to slow down and rest, his
response was: “In heaven we will have all eternity to rest; now is time to
work.” Remember the motto of St. Benedict: “Ora y labora”. (Pray and work)
Advent as if it were the last Advent in our life; indeed it could be because we
know neither the day nor the hour that the Lord could call us He said that he
would come like a thief in the night, at
the hour we least expect his coming! The
alarm clock has sounded: Let us wake up to the Lord’s call! We have one life to live; why not live it to
the max! As St. Peter Canisius said when advised to slow down and rest, his
response was: “In heaven we will have all eternity to rest; now is time to
work.” Remember the motto of St. Benedict: “Ora y labora”. (Pray and work)
2. SILENCE. Elijah encountered the Lord on the mountain
in silence. Neither the earthquake nor the thunderstorm contained the voice of
the Lord, but the gentle breeze. In the
Diary of Mercy in my soul, St. Faustina wanted to live fully Advent and made
the proposal to cultivate silence and recollection. The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI upon his
visit to USA and the seminarians in New York exhorted them to silence so as to
hear the gentle voice of God. Today we are being bombarded by so many alien
voices that distract and even deafen us from hearing the voice of the Holy
Spirit.
in silence. Neither the earthquake nor the thunderstorm contained the voice of
the Lord, but the gentle breeze. In the
Diary of Mercy in my soul, St. Faustina wanted to live fully Advent and made
the proposal to cultivate silence and recollection. The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI upon his
visit to USA and the seminarians in New York exhorted them to silence so as to
hear the gentle voice of God. Today we are being bombarded by so many alien
voices that distract and even deafen us from hearing the voice of the Holy
Spirit.
3. PRAYER. A necessary corollary that follows from silence is prayer. In Advent we should establish a time, a
place, and form the habit of prayer. Both Advent and Lent being “strong”
Seasons of grace should be times to both prolong and intensify our prayer life.
place, and form the habit of prayer. Both Advent and Lent being “strong”
Seasons of grace should be times to both prolong and intensify our prayer life.
4. GIVE UP AND FAST FROM SIN. To conquer sin, bad habits that we have been
dragging with us like a chain for years and inveterate vices we cannot except through the grace of God and
a strong effort of the will on our part. To fall a slave to sin is easy; just
let yourself go and be led and dictated by your passions. Jesus calls sin slavery.
Prayer is the indispensable remedy to overcome any sin in any time any
place and any circumstance. Let us meditate on the words from the Catechism of
the Catholic Church on the power and liberating force of prayer.
dragging with us like a chain for years and inveterate vices we cannot except through the grace of God and
a strong effort of the will on our part. To fall a slave to sin is easy; just
let yourself go and be led and dictated by your passions. Jesus calls sin slavery.
Prayer is the indispensable remedy to overcome any sin in any time any
place and any circumstance. Let us meditate on the words from the Catechism of
the Catholic Church on the power and liberating force of prayer.
“Prayer is a vital necessity. Proof from the contrary is no less
convincing: if we do not allow the Spirit to lead us, we fall back into the
slavery of sin. How can the Holy Spirit be our life if our heart is far from
him?
Nothing is equal to prayer, for what is impossible it makes possible,
what is difficult is easy…. For it is impossible, utterly impossible for the
man who prays eagerly and invokes God ceaselessly to sin.
convincing: if we do not allow the Spirit to lead us, we fall back into the
slavery of sin. How can the Holy Spirit be our life if our heart is far from
him?
Nothing is equal to prayer, for what is impossible it makes possible,
what is difficult is easy…. For it is impossible, utterly impossible for the
man who prays eagerly and invokes God ceaselessly to sin.
Those who pray are certainly saved; those who do not pray are certainly
damned.” (CCC #2744)
damned.” (CCC #2744)
5. SACRIFICES/ ACTS OF PENANCE. Jesus said that some devils are expelled
only by prayer and fasting. Jesus gave eloquent testimony to this by praying
and fasting 40 days in the desert. In
1917 Our Lady of Fatima told the three children, Jacinta Francisco and Lucia,
the importance of prayer and offering sacrifices for the conversion of poor
sinners. Why not make a small sacrifice at the table for love of God and for
the conversion of sinners? Give up
cookies, drink water rather than soda, avoid putting condiments on your meal,
or even try to eat a little bit less— all of these sacrifices offered to God
with great love can be instrumental in saving souls. St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us that the
salvation of one soul is worth more than the whole created universe!
only by prayer and fasting. Jesus gave eloquent testimony to this by praying
and fasting 40 days in the desert. In
1917 Our Lady of Fatima told the three children, Jacinta Francisco and Lucia,
the importance of prayer and offering sacrifices for the conversion of poor
sinners. Why not make a small sacrifice at the table for love of God and for
the conversion of sinners? Give up
cookies, drink water rather than soda, avoid putting condiments on your meal,
or even try to eat a little bit less— all of these sacrifices offered to God
with great love can be instrumental in saving souls. St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us that the
salvation of one soul is worth more than the whole created universe!
6. HOLY MASS AND HOLY COMMUNION IN
ADVENT. By far the greatest act we can
carry out is to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and to receive
reverentially and devoutly Holy Communion. Why not propose this Advent to come
to Mass and Holy Communion and bring as many family members as possible to
Jesus, Emmanuel—God with us! Actually,
mystically and sacramentally every day can be “Christmas” because Christmas is
Jesus being born and Holy Communion Jesus is born in the depths of the pious
soul! “O come let us adore Him, Jesus
the Lord!”
ADVENT. By far the greatest act we can
carry out is to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and to receive
reverentially and devoutly Holy Communion. Why not propose this Advent to come
to Mass and Holy Communion and bring as many family members as possible to
Jesus, Emmanuel—God with us! Actually,
mystically and sacramentally every day can be “Christmas” because Christmas is
Jesus being born and Holy Communion Jesus is born in the depths of the pious
soul! “O come let us adore Him, Jesus
the Lord!”
7. CLEAN THE BARN OF YOUR OWN SOUL. Jesus was born in a cold, dirty, smelly,
musty, hard stable which was a refuge of animals. Our soul can be compared to
this stable. How pleasing to Jesus it would be to born in the clean stable of
your heart. Why not clean the cobwebs,
mud and dirt and foul smell from your interior stable of Bethlehem— your
heart and soul—by preparing assiduously for and making the best confession of
your life. The words of Isaiah the prophet can truly motivate us: “Though your sins be red as scarlet I will make
them as white as the snow.” St. Jerome willingly offered the Child Jesus many
gifts for His Birthday— books, prayers and penances, which were all pleasing
to Jesus. However Jesus responded to the saint and said you are lacking one
thing that I would like: give me your sins! The name Jesus means “Savior”; He
came to save us from our sins.
musty, hard stable which was a refuge of animals. Our soul can be compared to
this stable. How pleasing to Jesus it would be to born in the clean stable of
your heart. Why not clean the cobwebs,
mud and dirt and foul smell from your interior stable of Bethlehem— your
heart and soul—by preparing assiduously for and making the best confession of
your life. The words of Isaiah the prophet can truly motivate us: “Though your sins be red as scarlet I will make
them as white as the snow.” St. Jerome willingly offered the Child Jesus many
gifts for His Birthday— books, prayers and penances, which were all pleasing
to Jesus. However Jesus responded to the saint and said you are lacking one
thing that I would like: give me your sins! The name Jesus means “Savior”; He
came to save us from our sins.
8. RECONCILIATION AND PEACE. One of the
many titles for Jesus is “The Prince of peace”.
St Francis of Assisi composed the immortal prayer, “Lord make me a
channel of your peace.” One of the 8
Beatitudes of Jesus is “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
the children of God.” (Mt. 5:8). If there is somebody that you have not
forgiven and you are harboring resentment and bitterness and unwilling to
forgive, now is the time to practice the virtue of humility and seek
reconciliation and peace with that person. Jesus warns us that if we are
offering the gift at the altar and we remember that somebody has something
against us then we should leave the gift and be reconciled and then return to
offer the gift. “Lord, make me a channel
of your peace.”
many titles for Jesus is “The Prince of peace”.
St Francis of Assisi composed the immortal prayer, “Lord make me a
channel of your peace.” One of the 8
Beatitudes of Jesus is “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
the children of God.” (Mt. 5:8). If there is somebody that you have not
forgiven and you are harboring resentment and bitterness and unwilling to
forgive, now is the time to practice the virtue of humility and seek
reconciliation and peace with that person. Jesus warns us that if we are
offering the gift at the altar and we remember that somebody has something
against us then we should leave the gift and be reconciled and then return to
offer the gift. “Lord, make me a channel
of your peace.”
9. HELP THE POOR. In some concrete fashion we should feel the compulsion
to help the poor of the world, our community, or parish, or family. Call to
mind the words of Jesus: “I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick and in
prison…..Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.”
(Mt 25). Ways to help the poor are countless. Beg the Holy Spirit to enlighten
your mind to see Jesus in the poor and act on the inspiration. Why not be a Good Samaritan on the Highway of
life?
to help the poor of the world, our community, or parish, or family. Call to
mind the words of Jesus: “I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick and in
prison…..Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.”
(Mt 25). Ways to help the poor are countless. Beg the Holy Spirit to enlighten
your mind to see Jesus in the poor and act on the inspiration. Why not be a Good Samaritan on the Highway of
life?
10. A DEEPLY MARIAN ADVENT. No doubt Jesus is the reason for the season! However,
Jesus chose Mary to be the means by which He would enter into the world to
carry out our salvation by His Paschal Mystery—Passion, death and
Resurrection. Advent is a truly Marian season. Marian Liturgical Solemnities
and Feasts are not lacking. On Dec 8th the Universal Church
celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. “O Mary conceived
without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee.” The Immaculate Conception
is the patroness of the United States. Furthermore, 4 days later, the church
celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego 4 times in
1531 in Mexico and assured him as well as the whole world of her motherly love
and concern for all. Why not renew our love, devotion and affection for Mary
who is the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church and our Mother. Undoubtedly a practice very dear to the heart
of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the recitation of the most Holy Rosary. In Advent
the Joyful mysteries take pride of place. Why not before dinner unite the
family together around the family sanctuary and pray the Rosary. “The family that prays together stays
together.”
Jesus chose Mary to be the means by which He would enter into the world to
carry out our salvation by His Paschal Mystery—Passion, death and
Resurrection. Advent is a truly Marian season. Marian Liturgical Solemnities
and Feasts are not lacking. On Dec 8th the Universal Church
celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. “O Mary conceived
without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee.” The Immaculate Conception
is the patroness of the United States. Furthermore, 4 days later, the church
celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego 4 times in
1531 in Mexico and assured him as well as the whole world of her motherly love
and concern for all. Why not renew our love, devotion and affection for Mary
who is the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church and our Mother. Undoubtedly a practice very dear to the heart
of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the recitation of the most Holy Rosary. In Advent
the Joyful mysteries take pride of place. Why not before dinner unite the
family together around the family sanctuary and pray the Rosary. “The family that prays together stays
together.”
In conclusion may this coming Christmas, the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, be the most peaceful,
joyful and holy of Christmases by living out with zeal, fervor and devotion
this Advent as if it were the last of our lives! O come O come Emmanuel.
joyful and holy of Christmases by living out with zeal, fervor and devotion
this Advent as if it were the last of our lives! O come O come Emmanuel.
