Thoughts for the Celebration of Advent

The Religious Education Director at my parish asked me to speak to the parents are preparing for Advent.  I have given this talk in the past and went in search for some new material. In the context of the Year of Faith here are some of my thoughts about preparing for the coming of Jesus. 

In October 2011, our Holy Father released a letter that declared a year of faith beginning Oct 11, 2012 and ending on November 24, 2013.  The Year of Faith is also tied into the much promoted New Evangelization. Pope Benedict believes that the Holy Spirit is giving us the opportunity and grace to rediscover our faith in this Year of Faith.  And what better time for us to begin than in preparation of Christ’s birth?

Let’s review some thoughts of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict.  On Wednesday, during the general audience, our Holy Father spoke about the role of family in faith.  Speaking specifically about parents, he said: 

·        Sharing the faith with children and others should be done in a clear, joyful and simple manner.

·        The Second Vatican Council says that parents are the first messengers of God. 

·        They are called to rediscover their mission to open small minds to the love of God.

·        A fundamental role of parents is as the first catechists. 

·        Always be joyful. Help all members of the family understand that faith is not a burden, but a deep source of joy.

Do your children know who Jesus is and what it did? St. Bernard describes Jesus life as follows:  He lay in a manger and rested on a virgin’s breast, preached on a mountain, and spent the night in prayer. He hung on a cross, grew pale in death, and roamed free among the dead and ruled over those in hell.  He rose again on the third day, and showed the apostles the wounds of the nails, the signs of victory; and finally in their presence he ascended to the sanctuary of heaven. 

And He sent the Holy Spirit to remain with us until He comes again.  One activity that may help Jesus come alive in the hearts of your children is to use the internet to find the places where Jesus lived.  Explore them together.

Advent is a time of waiting and preparing ourselves for the coming of Christ.  We can and should use this time to rebuild our own hearts.  I suggest a three-fold approach to rebuilding Advent hearts in your homes, adoration, Mary and Penance.

Adoration - I used to think that you had to be really holy to go to Adoration.  Now I believe that Adoration is for everyone, even the unbeliever.  During Adoration you may pray, think, read, and contemplate in the presence of Jesus. Plan to attend Adoration with your family during Advent. Come with your family and spend 15 or 20 minutes with Jesus.  Do this every month in 2013 and see what a difference it will make in your life and the life of your family.

Celebrate Mary – Because she said, " Yes", Jesus was born. Three great Marian feast days take place in the next month – Dec 8 –Mary’s Immaculate Conception, Dec 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe, Jan 1 –Mary, Mother of God.  Come as a family to mass all of these days.  (Two of them are Holy Days of Obligation.)  Pray a decade of the Rosary each evening with your family.  You’ll be through all four of the mysteries before Christmas comes!

Penance - It is the most misunderstood sacrament of the Church.  I recently heard a priest say that the best reason to come to confession is because Jesus should have the opportunity to say, “I forgive you” and that is what he does thought our Priests.  In Psalm David writes, “Create in me a clean heart, Oh Lord”.  Have all of your family members receive a clean heart during Advent.

Today, after you pick up your children, sit down and talk about Advent.  Ask them how your family should prepare for Jesus’ arrival on earth.  You might be surprised with their response.  However you celebrate Advent, remember the Holy Father’s comments: clear, joyful and simple manner, open small minds to God, faith is not a burden, but a deep source of joy.

It's Just the Next Step

                During the past year, I have had a regular confessor.  I wasn’t particularly looking for one.  Then, one day at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in DC, I entered the confessional and the counsel that I received from the priest was so completely on target, that I would have thought that he had known me for some time. 

                A few weeks after that encounter, I learned of his confession schedule and began to go every other Sunday to “Mary’s House” to confess my sins to the Lord and receive His counsel though Fr. Bob.  Over the months, Fr. Bob spoke often of the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit - sometimes asking me to listen for those subtle nudges and sometimes pointing out the times when I followed the Spirit’s direction.

                The greatest benefit in going to him regularly, is that he challenges me in various areas of my life.  His words are not judgmental or harsh, but he asks me to consider my actions in the context for God’s love for me and for the world.  I found my definition of sin changing from what I did “wrong” to what I have done (or not done) that is not pleasing to God.

                Often, the penance I received focused on the Our Father. Rather than simply saying the Our Father, he would ask me to concentrate on a particular phrase of this powerful prayer.  Over the past year, my understanding of and joy in praying the Our Father has increased drastically due to focusing on phrases such as “Thy will be done” and “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespassed against us” .

                 It has become our habit to talk for a few moments after absolution, if there wasn’t a line.  So in addition to being my confessor, Fr. Bob provided spiritual direction.  On Palm Sunday, after receiving absolution, he said, “our time together is coming to an end”.  I certainly wasn’t prepared for this comment, since this routine of regular confession has become an important part of my spiritual growth.          

                I learned that he is leaving Washington DC for a position in another part of the country.  His Ph. D., earned from Catholic University last year, will be put to tremendous use in this new position. Intellectually, I am thrilled for this opportunity for him and for the Church. Yet, I left the Shrine, one week before Easter, feeling sad, and a little abandoned.

                After prayer and consideration, I have put this loss of this Holy man of God into context.  And realize that it is time for him to take the next step and the same can be said for me.  Perhaps it means finding another regular confessor or perhaps the Spirit will guide me through a variety for priests.  It does not mean giving up my regular, comfortable schedule of celebrating the sacrament of Confession.  I need to be open to listening for that nudge that will help me take the next step in the right direction.

                Isn’t that what he asks me to do everyday!