From Our Pastor

11-27-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Aruldoss, Pastor

Dear People of God,

First of all, I appreciate and thank all the Ladies of our St. Lawrence’s PCCW for arranging a meaningful ‘Thanksgiving Ecumenical Prayer Service’ on last Sunday to thank our God for His blessings to us. Today, we begin a new liturgical season which is called “Advent”. The term ‘Advent’ comes from two Latin words Ad-ventus, which simply means “to arrive” or Ad-venire, meaning “to come.” For us, it means expecting the Lord’s coming. It is a four-week preparation period leading up to Christmas.

Naturally, we all desire peace because it is necessary for our growth. It is this peace that we expect Jesus the Prince of Peace to bring to our hearts, families and world. So, on this First Sunday of Advent, the church enjoins us to rejoice because that night of long pilgrimage to God’s eternal city of peace will soon be fruitful. The reign of peace is close at hand. Therefore, we must wake up and be ready to receive Christ into our lives, families and nation.

The prophet Isaiah in the first reading lifts up our spirits with his vision of the imminent reign of peace to be initiated by the coming of our Messiah. The Messiah whom we expect this season comes to us with peace. He shall transform our culture of war into that of peace. It is only the reign of the Christ in every heart and nation that can bring lasting peace.

Both the second of today calls us to be ready and awake. Paul, announces us the closeness of our Savior, the Prince of peace. He also reminds us that: “The time has come.” The time he means here is not the ordinary time (“chronos”), but God’s time (“kairos”). It is the God’s appointed time to save his own people, and to restore peace to all troubled hearts, families, businesses, and nations.

Finally, the gospel is also calling us to: “Stay awake!” It is very important because, this is a season of great awakening, preparation and of great expectation of the birth of the Messiah. It is a season of prayer when all Christians must turn to God in prayer. To prepare ourselves. we need to throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light and conduct ourselves properly as in the day (St. Paul) . Have a Happy and Blessed Sunday!

Yours in Jesus
Fr. Doss

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