Carissimi
As we embark on the blessed season of Advent, a time of joyful anticipation, I greet you with a heart filled with hope and love. This sacred season holds a dual significance for us, as we prepare to commemorate the glorious Nativity of our Lord and also reflect upon the solemn reality of the Last Judgement.
Advent is a time of preparation, a call to humbly and eagerly await the coming of our Savior. We are reminded of the profound mystery of the Incarnation, where the Almighty God, in His infinite love and mercy, humiliated Himself to become a weak and vulnerable baby. This act of self-emptying demonstrates the depth of His love for us and invites us to embrace and manifest His love in our lives.
However, Advent is not only a time of joyful expectation; it also urges us to consider the Last Judgement. Just as Christ, in His humility, embraced our humanity, He will one day come to judge the living and the dead. This sobering reality calls us to examine our lives and ensure that we are living in accordance with God’s will.
We cannot ignore the deepening crisis of faith that plagues our Church and society. The prevailing culture of nihilism and greed, coupled with apathy and indifference to righteousness, has led many Christians to relegate their faith to the private sphere. It is crucial that we deliberately manifest the life of Christ in our own lives, becoming beacons of hope and love amidst the darkness.
In these troubled times, where conflicts between nations such as Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas in Gaza persist, let us remember that our call as Christians is not only to pray for peace but also to actively promote true justice. We must resist the temptation to adopt an “eye for an eye”1 approach, and instead, embrace the path of reconciliation and understanding.
While the number of voices seem to rise, with more and more people talking about the “end times”, discussing signs and portents, prophecies and visions, it is important for us to remember and reflect upon Our Lord’s own teaching2. In the midst of all these discussions and speculations, He reminds us not to worry about these things, but rather to focus on what truly matters – our salvation.
As we embark on this journey of Advent, I urge each one of you to engage in prayer and discernment. Let us open our hearts to God’s voice and seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives. It is through prayer that we find strength, clarity, and the wisdom to navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
In the midst of the busyness and distractions of this world, let us remember that our primary aim is to surrender our lives to God’s will, just as our Lord Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will but thine be done.”3 This surrender requires humility, trust, and a willingness to let go of our own desires and ambitions in order to align ourselves with the divine purpose for which we were created.
During this Advent season, I invite you to engage in fervent prayer, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern God’s will for your lives. Let us also be attentive to the Word of God, allowing it to shape and transform us into vessels of His love and mercy. May we imitate the prophets, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, who humbly submitted themselves to God’s plan and became instruments of His grace.
As a family, let our apostolate embark on a journey of discussion and discernment in the coming year. Let us establish a Task Force to develop a pastoral strategy for the renewal of our mission communities, so that we may better embrace and manifest the love of Christ to all whom we encounter.
May this Advent season be a time of profound transformation and renewal for each one of us. May we prepare our hearts to welcome the Christ child with humility and joy, and may we always be ready to stand before Him with confidence when He comes again.
My dear brothers and sisters, let us hold onto the message of hope that Advent brings. Christ’s coming into the world reminds us that even in the midst of darkness, there is light. As we prepare for the commemoration of His birth, let us embrace this light and allow it to shine through us, manifesting the love and mercy of Christ in all that we do.
In conclusion, my dear brothers and sisters, let us approach this Advent season with hearts filled with hope and anticipation. May we prepare ourselves for the commemoration of the Nativity with joy and gratitude, while also heeding the call to humble ourselves before the coming of our Lord in judgement. May we surrender our lives to God’s will and strive to become vessels of His love and mercy.
May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
I.X.
Brichtelmestunensis
In Vigilia S. Andreæ Apostoli MMXXIII A.D.
Oremus
Excita, quǽsumus, Dómine, poténtiam tuam, et veni: ut ab imminéntibus peccatórum nostrórum perículis, te mereámur protegénte éripi, te liberánte salvári: Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre, in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. Amen
Put forth Your power, O Lord, we beseech You, and come, that with You as our protector we may be rescued from the impending danger of our sins; and with You as our deliverer, may we obtain our salvation. Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.
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