Jesus is Coming

My Dear Parishioners,
 
Advent comes from the Latin word meaning "coming." Jesus is coming, and Advent is intended to be a season of preparation for His arrival. We now have four weeks in which meditate mystery of Christ coming to us for our salvation. In the past he did come to suffer and die for us. And in the future he will come in glory to judge the living and the dead.
 It is a struggle as much of our society will celebrate Christmas up till December 25th while we are trying to prepare for it!  We prepare then we celebrate!
 
Advent is a time to deepen our relationship with Jesus through prayer.  Every one of us can spend quiet time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in church.  Perhaps, we can attend Mass and receive Him in Holy Communion more often during Advent.  Or, we can pray the Rosary each day this season.  Pope St. John Paul II used to say that in the Rosary we look at Jesus through the eyes of His Mother. 
 
Advent is also a season of penance, similar to Lent.  The priests will wear purple vestments for Mass.  No Gloria will be sung at Mass.  As we prepare for Christ’s Birth in a cold, poor stable, we strive to identify a bit with the inconveniences that He, His Mother and Foster Father endured.  It is good to give up a little something during Advent.  In a particular way, the sacrifices we make should enable us to do acts of love for others as Christ did for us by becoming one of us and being born in Bethlehem.
 
As I begin once more this journey of Advent I ask myself, 'where am I going?' Am I walking straight to Him, 'the way, the truth, and the life'? Or am I am turning my back just in order to fit in? The Lord is always with us. Are we always with Him? Have a blessed Advent.
 
God bless you,
Fr. Pawel