My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We, as Catholics, begin the new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent. In this liturgical year, the church emphasizes the beginning of a renewed commitment to the faith by all those who follow Christ the Lord.
We should take this time of prayer and penance that is so powerful, rich and intense to welcome the One who was incarnated for us all. In fact, the entire liturgy of the Advent Season will target us to an awakening in our Christian life and will put us in a “Vigilant” disposition, to await the coming of Our Lord Jesus.
According to the first reading today (Rm. 13:11-12), “It is now the hour for you to wake from sleep, for our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith. This night is far spent; the day draws near.” And the Gospel invites us: “Stay awake, therefore! You cannot know the day your Lord is coming.” (Mt. 24:42).
When Jesus came the first time, almost everyone missed Him. They were expecting a Messiah, but not one like Him. Perhaps the same thing will occur when Jesus comes the last time, such as when Noah entered the ark. People were totally unconcerned until the flood came and destroyed them.
Jesus is indeed coming to us at Christmas – not in His physical body, but nonetheless in a very real way. If we are awake and are open to His coming this Christmas, we will have reason to believe we will be prepared for His final coming.
My dear friends, it is time to wake up and open up to Jesus. It is time to meet the Savior before we meet the Judge. Let us offer our prayer: “Lord, as we begin new church year, please begin something new in my relationship with you. You gave me life, I give my life to you, dear Infant Jesus, my King and my Lord.”
Happy Advent,
Fr. Thuong Hoai Nguyen, Pastor