Advent, as the new beginning of the liturgical year, brings with it a new gospel companion for most of the upcoming year—this year we shall hear from the Gospel of Luke—one of two evangelists, the other being Mark, and Luke’s writings speak to us about the origins and birth of Jesus Christ and of the ministry of John the Baptist.
Luke’s Gospel this weekend speaks to us from the words of Isaiah about “Preparing the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” And with this we are introduced to the ministry of God’s Love, a ministry of repentance and forgiveness.
Advent is a time of preparation in our Church and faith and is meant to lead us to the two comings of Christ: the first, His Incarnation and the gift of His love to humanity; the second is the Second Coming, the day of Judgment when our Lord and Savior will break open the gates of heaven and call us to live with Him forever in His glorious Kingdom of peace, joy and
happiness.
This Advent period of preparation emanates from the call of John the Baptist to “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” We are called to herald the coming of the Lord and to do this in-andthrough the ministry of repentance and forgiveness, which in the Catholic Church is a ministry of a dual nature: to offer repentance for our sins and seek the forgiveness of God our Father for ourselves and then, once forgiven, to go out into the world and to forgive others.
The Love of God, given to each of us in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ is a love that is meant for
us and to enable us to share it with others (as we are told in the words of the Eucharistic Prayer II: that we minister to God in the ways we minister to others; as we are forgiven, so shall we forgive. As we are blessed, so shall we bless. As we are fed and nourished, so shall
we feed and nourish others. Our Catholic faith is not a “self only” opportunity of salvation, but we are called to seek our own salvation by the way then lead others to the Love and the Salvation of Jesus Christ through our proclamation of the Good News of Christ (ministering to others). The Christian faith is meant to be shared in-and-through our lived experience of the faith: the mercy and the love of God.
Advent gives us a time to reflect—and to act—on the teachings of Jesus Christ in-and-through our Catholic faith traditions—how we are called to live out His teachings in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy: in the caring of others who are less fortunate or ignorant of Christ. Today’s Gospel of Luke places John the Baptist as the precursor of Jesus’ birth and life on earth. We too are we called to proclaim to others (particularly our family, children and friends)
our own belief in the Saving Christ. We must also reflect on our own lived-experience of faith: how do I put my faith into everyday life?
As we listen to the Lukan words of John the Baptist telling us about the ministry of repentance and forgiveness of sins, we must wonder ourselves about how we forgive and how we seek forgiveness? Is it unconditional? Is it once-and-for-all, or do we continue to doubt God’s forgiveness of our sins, seeking forgiveness over and over again for the same sin? Do we continue to remind others who have hurt us about that hurt once we’ve said they are forgiven—
never putting it behind us? Or do we recall the wise words of many: “that anger and hurt only become an acid that eats at the container that holds it.” Forgiveness is a salve that heals everything, including ourselves.
This Advent let us rejoice in the forgiveness God offers to each of us. Let us seek His mercy, accept it and then with love spread it about to heal the world in which we live. Then, refreshed by God’s mercy and becoming a dispenser of it, let us then focus on the practical
This Advent let us rejoice in the forgiveness God offers to each of us. Let us seek His mercy, accept it and then with love spread it about to heal the world in which we live. Then, refreshed by God’s mercy and becoming a dispenser of it, let us then focus on the practical application of our Catholic faith by living out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy: nourishing those who hunger, forgiving the sinner, giving rest to those who wonder, and comforting those who are
hurting and giving joy to the hopeless.
Our Catholic Church has a track record like no other private entity in the world when it comes to
offering hope, help and joy to those in need. From parishes that locally feed the hungry, to hospitals that care for the ill of every faith and even those without, to shelters to house the homeless and schools and training centers to educate the ignorant, from the Knights of Malta who go out into the streets and heal the poor and frail, to Catholic Charities, the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, Catholic Relief Services and so many more. In every corner of the nation and
world—through parish, diocesan and order ministries; founded by Christ, the Church continues His mission and ministry in our time and place. And as members of the Mystical Body of Christ—the Church on earth—you and I are called to continue the “chain-link fence” Christ began: from age-to-age and beyond. And it all beings with repentance and forgiveness!