ADVENT BEGINS

We enter upon the liturgical season of Advent; we prepare ourselves:

-         To celebrate the first Advent of Christ (Christmas)

-         For his second Advent [which can also be seen as “us going to him”(death)] 

Lk 21, 34: Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap”.

Every year is filled with so many events that may take away our attention from God; 2020 in particular.

This period allows our mind, soul and spirit to re-focus on God and not be taken by drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life. With 4 consecutive weeks where we reflect on : Hope, Faith, Joy, Peace; given by God and not the world. 

Matt 24, 46 : “ Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.”

Preparing for the second Advent is easy but tricky as no one knows the day or time. But Jesus put an emphasis on “doing the right thing, at the right time and at the right place”.  If you are supposed to sleep, sleep; if you are supposed to work, work; and do everything with Love.  We therefore reflect on both the hour of our death and the “NOW” moment and what we are supposed to do. These two phases are very important that we entrust them to the blessed Mother of God: “ Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners, NOW and at THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH”. May we often repeat these words, to receive the help we need to be watchful and do what is right in the eyes of God.

  

Giovanni dell’Addolorata, November 2020.