GODS-SPACE:NWACHINAEMERE, QUO VADIS? You will remain blessed and favoured as you put yourself in the ADVENT MOOD, harken to the voice of the divine word, prepare your heart and family for the coming of the Lord, and encourage others to do like-wise. As St. Luke admonishes us: At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, Take heed to yourself lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life and that day come upon you and suddenly like a snare; for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. But WATCH AT ALL TIMES, PRAYING that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to STAND before the Son of man. So also Fr. Tom DeSimone encourages us to LIVE OUT THE ADVENT SPIRIT more practically, more lovingly and more fulfillingly. He wrote: Advent has always been one of my favorite times of year growing up as a child. I remember being taught how to light the Advent candles and their significance and symbolism in the Advent wreath in St. Sylvester’s Catholic School in Staten Island, NY. I remember the rich symbolism of the different colors along with the biblical lessons learned from the “Jesse Tree” or the charitable witness of the Advent “giving trees.” It is a season so overlooked in today’s modern world, not just by the “secular” society, but also unfortunately by many in the Church today, including clergy. In a world caught up in frenzied activity and busyness, the season of waiting makes no sense. In order to understand the importance of Advent, one must understand the importance of humility and the beauty of waiting for something special. In a world of “instant gratification,” to wait for something seems pointless. As a matter of fact, it can feel down right irritating and a waste of good, valuable, productive, earning time. Advent is a season to wait, ponder, reflect, and to be ready and vigilant. But, wait for what or for whom? Advent is truly about preparing for the “two comings of Christ” which is reflected in today’s preface at Holy Mass: the coming of Christ in the flesh (Incarnation and Christmas) and the second coming of our savior (the escaton). He came in History (Christmas), He comes in Mystery (the sacraments) and He will come in Majesty (His Second Coming.) The first reading at Holy Mass is from (who else) the prophet Isaiah and he talks about the love our Father has for us and our desperate need for Him, so that we do not get hardened hearts and stray form Him. Isaiah is asking God to “rend the heavens and come down,” because we are waiting for you. This reading from Isaiah reminds me of the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans 8:19-24 when Paul tells us all creation groans in labor pains, not only creation but we “ourselves groan inwardly as we await as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Even the Responsorial Psalm (Ps. 80) asks God to rouse His power “and come to save us.” One of the most beautiful songs during Advent is “O Come Emmanuel” and states that we are a people in exile who need to be ransomed, captive Israel. The gospel reminds us to be patient, watchful, vigilant and alert for we do not know when he is coming! In his beautiful catechesis, “Theology of the Body,” St. John Paul II quotes St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans 8:19-24, about awaiting with Advent-like inner groaning for the redemption of our bodies, in no less than twenty audiences. This “redemption of the body” will only take place when Christ comes again. All the desires and cravings of our hearts can only be satisfied, not by twinkle lights and presents, but only by the one who is the Light of the world and the greatest gift to the world-Jesus Christ. Our infinite cravings and desires cannot be satisfied by finite, earthly things but only by the one Isaiah (His 1st Coming) and St. Paul (His 2nd Coming) are waiting for-the Christ. We are helpless in the sense that we cannot will our own total happiness and certainly cannot will the redemption of our bodies and we cannot control Christ’s Second Coming and this teaches how helpless we truly are. We need the Father and the redeemer, Jesus Christ to “rend the heavens” come down to us and let “us see Your face and we shall be saved.” “O Come Emmanuel and ransom us-captive Israel.” Have a blessed and prayerful Advent season, a season of holy preparation and humble waiting. Amen. WHY IS ADVENT IMPORTANT? Catholic Doors Ministry has the answer: Preparation for Christmas is an important theme for Advent, but more is involved. Advent gives us a vision of our lives as Christians and shows us the possibilities of life. The vision of life that Advent gives us is twofold; it looks back to the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem, and it looks to the future when Christ will come again. In the interval between these two events we find meaning for our life as a Christian. First we celebrate Christ-become-human. We view his life and experience his presence as a human being in our history. Christ came to show us what life can and should be. He gave us true and valid principles by which we can live true and valid lives. But Jesus knew that the human heart could not live in isolation. He formed the Church around the concept of a people held together by love. In that community we discover unlimited possibilities and meaning. Alone we can do nothing. Together we find real meaning. When Christ left this earth, he did not abandon us. He remains with us in his Spirit, the Church, the sacraments, the Scriptures and each other. He lives in community with us and keeps his vision of life before us. When Christ comes again, his presence will no longer be hidden behind the signs and symbols of the liturgy or the words of the Scriptures. His presence among us will be revealed in all its fullness, a presence that will never end, a presence that will perfect and complete our community. This is the greater significance of Advent. In these few short weeks we take in the sweeping panorama of time - from Christs birth to his Second Coming. The season of Advent brings us the magnificent vision of life and hope for the future given to us by Christ. Advent is our time to become more involved, more caught up in the meaning and the possibilities of life as a Christian community. Thus we are preparing not only for Christmas but also for Christs Second Coming. This means that when he comes again, we will be awake and watchful. He will not find us asleep. ON ADVENT WREATH: Mary Fairchild has this explanations. The Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches representing eternity. On that wreath, five candles are typically arranged. During the season of Advent one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a part of the Advent services. Each candle represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Advent Wreath Candles Set on the branches of the wreath are four candles: three purple candles and one pink candle. In the center of the wreath sits a white candle. As a whole, these candles represent the coming of the Lord. On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is typically called the Prophecy Candle in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. This candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah. Each week on Sunday, an additional candle is lit. On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents love. Some traditions call this the Bethlehem Candle, symbolizing Christs manger. On the third Sunday of Advent the pink, or rose-colored candle is lit. This pink candle is customarily called the Shepherds Candle and it represents joy. The fourth and last purple candle, oftentimes called the Angels Candle, represents peace and is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent. On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is traditionally lit. This candle is called the Christ Candle and represents the life of Christ that has come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. Also, those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow. Celebrating with an Advent wreath during the weeks prior to Christmas is a great way for Christian families to keep Christ at the center of Christmas, and for parents to teach their children the true meaning of Christmas. Another Advent tradition that can be very meaningful and fun for children is to celebrate with the Jesse Tree. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET ANYTHING THIS ADVENT neither SHALL YOU BE DISAPPOINTED AS MY PRAYERS/NOVENA MASSES WILL ACCOMPANY YOU AS YOU PREPARE MOST SINCERELY TO MEET WITH THE LORD. Wishing you my dearly beloved Children of God, an enriching fruitful advent season. I love you all!
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 21:09:58 +0000
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