The season of Advent is a short but complex theological journey. The first two Sundays speak of the advent (coming) of Jesus Christ, the Universal King, at the end of time. This continues on from last Sunday which was the Feast of Christ the King at the conclusion of Ordinal (Ordinary) Time. The tenor of this period is one of penance as we look to prepare ourselves so that the Lord will find us awake and alert to his triumphal return. We do not wait in fear for the end of time but maintain expectant hope that the Lord will ultimately greet with salvation those who long for his appearing. The Beatitudes tell us that those who long for justice, peace and righteousness will be satisfied, so we trust in the Lord's promise. A change occurs on the Third Sunday of Advent which is also known as Gaudete (Rejoice!) Sunday and is signaled by the colour rose in the liturgy. This is the counterpoint of the other Laetare (Rejoice!) Sunday which is the Fourth Sunday of Lent. From then we turn to waiting with joyful expectation the commemoration of the first advent of Jesus being born at Christmas. The great mystery of God at work in history leading up to Christmas and becoming human in the Incarnation inform this theology. In the one season we celebrate the one Lord who is: Second Person of the Holy Trinity, through whom the Universe was made; the Word made flesh as baby in the manger at Bethlehem; and finally, the victor over sin and death in whom the Universe finds its consummation and fullest realization in the resurrection at the Last Judgment. I encourage all parishioners to enter the spiritual and liturgical significance of this holy season even though we have so many other distractions at the same time. One way we can do this is by coming to reconciliation at rite I or rite II so that we know God's mercy and love at what is for many a time of stress.
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