How is it Going?

How is your Advent season going so far? The liturgy of this season is a rich source of inspiration: themes include watchfulness, conversion, and joyful hope. Entering into the spirit of this season is the best way to have a good Christmas. If you have not been doing anything special for Advent, it’s not too late to start. If you have begun some Advent observance, now is a good time to take stock of how things are going.

This year I am especially focused on Advent as a season of joyful hope. We know how the story ends: Christ will come to us because he already came to earth over 2000 years ago. Our Advent wreath in the church (and perhaps in your homes) gives us a visible sign of the approaching light of Christ’s presence. Our upcoming Noel Night will be yet another occasion for joyful hope, as the true meaning of this season bursts into song. Another source of joy for me is the recollection of the Advent seasons of my youth, which were filled with special traditions and practices.

I maintain my Advent joy these days by doing special spiritual reading each day, including Bishop Baron’s daily Advent gospel reflections, which we gave to all our parishioners this year. Also, I bring a different Christmas album to the office each day to listen to as I work. Finally, I’ve gone for at least a short walk every day. It’s good exercise, and it gives my mind a chance to clear itself and focus on what is most important at this time of the year. As I continue to bring joy into my life at this time, I wish you a blessed and happy Advent as well.

Gratefully Yours,

Advent

On November 28th we begin a new liturgical year in the Church. (This makes it a good day for a “New Year’s resolution.”) The season of Advent is our time to prepare spiritually for the great feast of Christmas. We often speak of the “spirit of Christmas,” and it is good that we identify the true spirit of the feast. But we cannot really enjoy the spirit of Christmas if we do not first have the spirit of Advent.

It is a time of preparation for Christ, longing for Christ, and identifying the parts of our own lives that are most in need of a greater presence of Christ. In a sense Advent represents life itself, since our entire earthly life is a preparation for eternal life with Christ.

There are numerous ways to make this a season of true preparation for the Lord. You might want to have an Advent wreath in your home, and light the appropriate candle(s) each evening during dinner. (I hope you eat dinner together as a family.) You might consider participating in weekday Mass on one or more days during the week. Contributions to charitable causes are particularly appropriate during this time, when the needs of the poor are most strongly felt. Also, the parish will be giving out Advent meditation books at the weekend Masses; I hope you will take one and use the book for daily reflection and prayer.

The pandemic has certainly heightened our sense of longing, our sense of needing help from above. That is good. Let’s enter into the spirit of Advent as fully as possible, so the spirit of Christmas may find its home in us.

Gratefully Yours,

Christ the King

On Sunday, November 21st, we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. I’m sure you’ll agree that the title of this celebration is impressive. Jesus Christ, who is our Friend, our Brother, and our Savior, is also the Incarnate Son of God and King of the Universe. His kingdom is described by one of the prayers of this Sunday’s Mass as “an eternal and universal kingdom, a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love, and peace.” We are mem- bers of this kingdom!

It would be a good meditation for us to look at our lives and ask how the qualities of Christ’s kingdom are present: truth, life, holiness, grace, justice, love, and peace. The more we cultivate these qualities, the greater is our worship of Christ, our God and King. It is also good to ask questions such as the following: Is Christ the King of my thoughts? Is Christ the King of my attitudes? Is Christ the King of my words? Is Christ the King of my actions? Our worship of Christ the King takes its value from the impact it has on our lives.

On a different note, as I was finishing this letter to you I received the sad news that our youth minister, Laura Schuberg, is leaving her position. I am very sad to see her go, and I am sure you will join me in thanking her for seven years of devoted service to the youth of our parish. Let’s offer grateful prayers for her, and also let’s pray for guidance as we search for a new youth minister. May Christ the King reward you, Laura, for your wonderful ministry in our parish!

Gratefully Yours,