Our Blessed Mother's Children
 
 
 
Picture
Mary's Advent "The angel appeared to Mary only during the Annunciation. After that there were no further instructions, no further messages or mission. [...] She, the Mother of God, had to learn the correct way to interpret events. She had to learn the spirituality of events. God did not make anything easier for her; everything in her life was always so very difficult."
The Gift of Faith  pg. 109-110 by Fr. Tadeusz Dajcz


 
 
Picture
     If I were to be "politically and liturgically" correct I should say "Happy New Year!" since we have begun the new liturgical year.  I would have rather given you a taped message rather than typed but since I sound like I have a frog in my throat I thought it better to do it this way. 
     Advent is such a beautiful and wonderful season to contemplate the celebration of Christ's birth as well as His Second Coming.  It is such a short and busy season since we find ourselves spending extra time trying to buy presents, set up and decorate the tree, send out cards, plan and attend some Christmas parties and school concerts.  Along with some added stress we may find ourselves so wrapped up in the externals that we forget the internal preparation of the season. 
     The Church gives us the opportunity to "slow down" and to take a look at how we are preparing for both His Second Coming and the celebration of His birth.  The Gospel which we heard yesterday really didn't seem like "Good News" or give us a "warm and fuzzy" feeling.  The signs sound rather frightening and give us the images of horrendous situations but then Jesus tells us that is when we know that our redemption is close at hand and we should stand erect with our heads held high.  Now, if we are in "right standing" with the Lord then we shouldn't have a problem but if we have missed the mark we may feel differently. 
     We are surrounded by signs.  Look at the advertisements that were in the newspaper the day before Thanksgiving.  These were announcements of what sales would be taking place very early on Friday morning.  Look at the preparation that people put themselves through in making sure to get up early so that they could be in line for a particular item.  The funny thing but yet sad is that I don't see people doing that when it comes to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The fact is. . .there are NO lines because only a few are taking the time seriously to make themselves right with the Lord.  I am not nor have ever been a gambler and I certainly wouldn't want to start using my life and perhaps losing eternity over it!  Speaking about signs, have you ever looked at the messages on the billboards along the interstates and roadways.  What if there was one that had a picture of Jesus on along with a date of his coming. . .would anyone see it and if they did what would they do?
     The Church once again gives us the opportunity and to slow down so that we can prepare in Joyful Expectation of celebrating His birth and His Second Coming.  I don't know about you. . .but I don't want to stay here forever. . .I do want Him to come and I do want to stay with Him for all eternity.  Come Lord Jesus!