A Season of Hope and Waiting
Un Tiempo de Esperanza y Espectativa

As the new Church Year begins, Advent reminds us of the coming of Jesus:  his Second Coming in majesty at the end of time, his coming in the flesh at his birth in Bethlehem, and the mystery of his coming to us in daily life and in mysterious ways.  The Church asks us HOW we are waiting:  are we drowsy and inattentive, or are we staying alert?  Even as John the Baptist called the Jews to prepare the way of the Lord, this season calls us to prepare his way in our communities through service to others, and personally through daily prayer, frequent Confession, Bible or other faith study, weekly (even daily) Mass.  Advent reminds us that our hope is rooted in God's constant love, that he eagerly desires to renew us, and that preparing for him means changing to be in right relationships with him and with others.  If we want to be prepared, and to stay prepared, the virtues of obedience and trust in God's merciful love are essential, both now in the Advent season as well as throughout our lives.