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If we believe in God, we have to believe that God is more powerful than we.
-Rev. John Phalen
Advent: a time of joyful expectation
Seasonal Message - by Rev. John Phalen, CSC,President, Holy Cross Family Ministries
ADVENT: a time of joyful expectation; of getting ready for the coming of the Lord by walking in the light: doing what we normally do, but with a consciousness of God.
The readings today are full of common, every-day activities which our faith calls us to live in an extraordinary way. They are:
1.Waking up: Don’t say, “Good Lord, morning!” Say, “Good morning Lord!” Also awaken to what is happening around you and where Christ is present.
2.Getting dressed: Throw off the deeds of darkness, drunkenness, lust, rivalry and jealousy. Put on the armor of light/put on the Lord Jesus Christ, as you would a coat.
3.Being prepared as in Noah’s day: You know not when the Son of Man will come. Do you want to know when the world will end? I’ll tell you: I don’t know! So be prepared. The Boy Scouts had it right.
4.Climbing the mountain of the Lord’s house (rejoicing to enter it). Example: Shelly and Joyce climbing Croagh Patrick. The mountain is an image for our work or our life. The destination is the journey itself; company/conversation/vista, all that happens along the way.
5.Being a peace-maker: Beating swords to ploughshares/spears to pruning hooks; tanks to earth-moving equipment; fighter jets to passenger planes. Helping to resolve an argument or squash a rumor.
6.Walking in the Light of the Lord: i.e., the way of love and forgiveness; the way of prayer and growth in the spiritual life; the way of freeing others of the burdens they have to carry.
This Advent, may the Lord guide you as you wake up, get dressed, prepare yourself, climb the mountain, make peace, and walk in the light of the Lord.