Dear parishioners,

Today is first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time of preparation, preparing our hearts and our minds for the coming of Jesus at Christmas, a time to reflect on the greatness of our faith. In many ways we begin to celebrate already, it is also a time to be with our family and friends. Streets lights and decorations are already up, we begin with our plans for Christmas, etc. Advent is a time for looking forward, for enjoying the special time of year. But it is also a time to go beyond the social celebrations, to reflect on the special ways that God wants to touch our lives. At Christmas we will celebrate how God comes so close to us, becoming a human being in Jesus, but how is it that God is coming close to us today?

Something extra this year in that we also preparing for the beginning of a Jubilee Year, the ‘Year of Hope’. A Jubilee year happens every 25 years and is a time for special graces and renewal.

We have four weeks to reflect and ponder on God’s love for us that opened up the Heaven to come down and dwell among us, and it is this love of God that can renew our hope, especially at a time where the whole human family faces so many challenges.

The First reading tells us about the promise that God made to the people of Israel. He did not forget his promises. Years passed and the people thought that God had forgotten them but it was not like that. God knew when was the right time to fulfil his promise. Sometimes we might feel that God has forgotten us. His time not always is our time! He is faithful to us and he helps us to trust in Him, in his time.

The Psalm expresses “O Lord, make me know your ways, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth, and teach me…”. God’s paths surprise us and take us to a better place.

The Second reading is a call to increase our love for one another as part of this preparation for his coming. I think it is a very practical aspect to exercise in this advent season. Precisely seeking to be more generous, more loving helps us to be more aware of God loving us. Advent is a call to prepare ourselves for welcoming Him, this could be in our prayer life and in our relationships. How can I increase my love for others, how can I put this into practice?

In the Gospel Jesus is calling to his disciples to be prepared, awake, not to become insensitive and close our eyes to what is happening around us, because he himself will be revealed. He said: “Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength…and to stand before the Son of Man”. What does he mean? Precisely that He is coming to our lives, that he will fulfill his promises, but we need to cooperate, to reach out in love, to be aware in order to recognise his signs in all that we live.

Have a blessed first week of advent,

Anabel Gonzalez, FMVD