Third Sunday of Advent

12-15-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Fred Adamson

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend, we light the third candle on the Advent wreath – the rose colored one. It is a reminder that we are halfway through Advent and Christmas is just 10 days away. The entrance antiphon for today sets the tone, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice. Indeed the Lord is near.” With this proclamation as a Church, the people of God remember we are called to rejoice in a world of busyness, technology, suffering and fear. You might ask how we rejoice in these things – only with the promise and hope of Jesus.

This Advent I have been trying to wake up to the three ways we can see Jesus in our lives – in history, in mystery and in majesty. We know he came in history to the little town of Bethlehem. He lived, taught, suffered, died, rose and ascended in the Holy Land. These stories help us on our journey. He comes now in mystery in the Sacraments, our prayer and in our charity or love for neighbor, stranger and outcast. We can be confident that He is with us, Emmanuel, in mystery. Finally, we wait for His coming in majesty, recognizing that He will come again at the end of our life and at the end of time. For this reason, we continue to prepare and actively await by living the Christian witness daily in our lives. We as a people continue to cry out, O’ Come, O’ Come Emmanuel. Come God and be with us!

This coming Wednesday, we will have several priests from neighboring parishes here to assist with Confessions starting at 6:30 pm. It is a special opportunity in Advent to prepare your heart and soul for a renewed gift of His presence at Christmas. Advent is a time for conversion and change. A t ime to set our bearing on Him, Jesus who is our light. Come on Wednesday for this time of grace. St. Paul reminds us where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. This is a night of healing, forgiving grace for us as a community. He comes to us in the mystery of the Sacrament. O’ Come, O’ Come Emmanuel. Come God and be with us!

Remember in the rush of shopping, baking, and decorating to stop and ponder what it is all about. Set your bearing on Him – the reason for all we do in our celebration of Christmas. See Him in the beauty of the tree lit and decorated. See Him in the gifts under the tree. See Him in the hospitality of Christmas gatherings. See Him in the charity given to the poor and needy. With eyes of faith we recognize the mystery of His love in the world here and now. O’ Come, O’ Come Emmanuel. Come God and be with us!

May these days ahead be filled with true hope and joy as you rejoice that He is near. He comes in history, mystery and majesty to those who open their hearts and seek Him.

With Advent hope and peace,

Fr. Fred