Pastor’s Corner – Dec 17

Pastor’s Corner – Dec 17

 

On December 3rd we began the Season of Advent. Advent has a two-fold character, for it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of Christmas, in which the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered, and likewise a time when, by remembrance of this, minds and hearts are led to look forward to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time. For these two reasons, Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight.
Human beings cannot live without hope. Unlike the animals, we are blessed – or cursed – with the ability to fear our actions or to shape them. So essential is this to human life, that human beings cannot live without hope, without something to live for, without something to look forward to. To be without hope, to have nothing to live for, is to surrender to death in despair.

One of the reasons why we read the Old Testament during Advent is to learn what to hope for. The people of the Old Testament had the courage to hope for big things: that the desert would be turned into fertile land; that their scattered and divided people would eventually be gathered again; that the blind would see, the deaf hear, the lame walk; that not only their own people but all the peoples of the earth, would be united in the blessings of everlasting peace. Clearly, their hopes were no different from our own or from any human being’s: lasting peace, tranquil lives, sufficiency of food, an end to suffering, pain and misery.
Thus we hope for the same things as the Old Testament people, for their hopes are not yet realized. But we differ from them in two ways. First, the coming of Jesus in history, as a partial fulfillment of God’s promises, immeasurably confirms and strengthens our hope. Secondly, we differ because Jesus has revealed to us that God is not afar off, but is already in our midst.

Pope Francis declared this Church year as the “Year of Mercy.” The hope that Christians hold on to in their lives comes from the mercy and forgiveness that God freely gives to each of us. It inspires us to persevere in seeking holiness in our lives despite our stumbling and failings. That is the beauty of God’s great love for each of us – He continually forgives us despite our unfaithfulness so that we can become better people, holier people worthy of His kingdom.

May this Advent and Christmas open our eyes and hearts to the love of God for all His creation. May we prepare ourselves spiritually through prayer, fasting and repentance in order that we be filled with anticipation, hope and joy for the coming of our Lord.
Wishing you and your families a Blessed-Filled Christmas and Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year!

Fr. David