FRIENDS and SERVANTS of the WORD
Sunday, November 29, 2015
First Sunday of Advent Year C
From the Word of the Day
“Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
(Luke:21: 36)
How should we live this Word
Today we begin the new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent. The Church invites us to enter into this time of preparation for the coming of Christ on His birthday in full docility to the Spirit. We light the first candle of the Advent Wreath. It is the candle of HOPE.
We are further invited to vigilance and to prayer by Jesus. This should lead us to reflect on what is central in our Christian life.
Vigilance…time passes quickly in our daily routine and in the monotony that make it seem all the same. This brings the risk of physical and interior tiredness. Our attention may become drowsy, inducing a kind of spiritual torpor and discouragement. The vigilance Jesus asks of us in this time of Grace is precisely the best medicine against the risk of spiritual tepidity: ‘Be vigilant at all times!’
Hope…I am not the same person who lived Advent last year. Life changes, sometimes positively and sometimes negatively. But I absolutely need to make space in my heart for Hope in order to change for the better, thanks to the New Man who comes to save me.
Prayer…sometimes we have the impression that evil is stronger than good; that hatred prevails over love. The recent tragedy in Paris leads to this kind of thinking. We must pray, continually and incessantly. The birth of a new world depends on this. It is the new world inaugurated by the Son of God incarnate for love of us; He is the New Man. Advent is the time for Prayer!
In my pause for silent contemplation, I will embrace this Advent season with new hope and ask Jesus to help me fill it with a constant mindfulness of His presence as I prayerfully go about my daily tasks.
Jesus, be with me!
The Voice of the Collect of the 1st Sunday of Advent
Grant you faithful, we pray, Almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet Your Christ with righteous deeds at His coming, so that, gathered at His right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.
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Reflection by Fr. Fernando Bergamelli, SDB