Weekly Reflection

This week, we begin the liturgical season of Advent. The Advent season is a four-week celebration where the Church prepares for Christmas and, in turn, the arrival of Jesus. The Gospel for this week is the first of four, each describing different aspects of being prepared for the coming of Jesus. 

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples to "be on your guard… stay awake because you never know when the master is coming." For the early Christians, this would have been a poignant point, with many expecting the coming of Jesus in the imminent future. While Jesus didn't come in the weeks after His resurrection, we today are left waiting for the final coming of Jesus. In one sense, it is like reading a book where the final chapter is not yet finished!

During Advent, we are called to prepare for the infant Jesus. The image of a small baby in the manger, surrounded by animals lit under the Christmas star, speaks to many of us. It is a scene of joy, hope, love, and peace – for which the four advent candles represent. Over the next few weeks, we will be encouraged to unpack what this event means to each of us. Each of us should give pause and consider what our faith tells us – that on this night over 2000 years ago, God, in a very real sense, became one of us. He chose to come to this world, not as an all-powerful warrior, but as an innocent child in the total care of his young parents. 

Jesus speaks to us asking us to resist complacency and ensure we are alert to the mission of Christ. With this sense of urgency, we are called to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homless, visit the sick and help in any other way we can. This should not be an aspiration for the future, but rather we must do this now. This week we might volunteer for a charity, give a helping hand to a friend or relative throughout the season, or be a little more patient during this crazy season. 

Loving God, 

As we light the first Advent candle of hope, 

we ask for your presence to fill our hearts and homes. 

May the hope of Christ's coming bring light to our darkness and renew our spirits. In Jesus' name, we pray. 

St John Vianney, 

Pray for us