1st Week of Advent

11-28-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Arul Doss

Dear People of God,

Good morning dear Friends. We have arrived at the powerful season of Advent, a season to prepare with awe and gratitude for the Feast of the Incarnation of Jesus, born to us as Savior and Brother. The term Advent comes from two Latin words Ad-ventus or ad-venire, which simply means “to arrive” or “to come” respectively.” It marks the beginning of the Church’s liturgical calendar. It is a four-week period leading up to Christmas. Advent is a time when we expect mercy and liberation because our Lord, the King of the universe whose solemnity we celebrated last Sunday comes with power to reign over his people.

The first reading from Jeremiah reminds us that we expect the fulfillment of God’s promises to us this season. The promise is about our deliverance, and the restoration of our lost integrity which has been stifled by fear of the unknown. It is equally a time of restoration of our hope and faith. Jesus comes also to liberate us from shame and sorrows.

How do we begin this preparation? Paul gives us a clue in our second reading when he says: “May he so confirm your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless in the sight of our God…when our Lord Jesus comes with all his saints.” Thus, Paul admonishes us to “conduct ourselves in the way that please God.” This is a call to strive for perfection. If it were not possible, Christ would not have demanded it from us. We must prepare and equip ourselves with good virtues.

Today’s gospel calls us to be awake and watchful. Yest, Advent is the time to prepare our hearts once again so that Christ can continue His Incarnation within each one of us. He wants to possess us entirely and invites us to follow Him. It is a process. Sometimes He demands that we follow Him immediately. At other times, He invites us. Sometime we cannot resist His call. At other times, we are uneasy about being so radical. May this Advent transform our lives so that we become completely faithful in the following the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have a great and Joyful Sunday!

Yours in Jesus Christ, Fr. Doss

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