AMDG
Dear OSJ Family,
With Advent fully upon us, the refrain from the letter to the Hebrews 13:8 rings so true: Jesus Christ; yesterday, today and forever! Indeed we must remember amid the bright lights, holiday parties and mega sales of the season that Jesus is the very heart of this holy season of Advent!
The word Advent from the Latin means “coming” or “arrival.” The entire focus of this sacred season is the celebration of the coming of God among us – IMMANUEL Hebrew, for God with us. And God is with us in the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of His second coming at the end of time in his Second Advent – when he will judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom of peace, love , justice and truth will have no end.
And so the Church’s year has commenced once more. With Advent we adorn our church in the deep violet, the same color as Lent, creating a simpler, quieter, more reflective setting. We take this time to contemplate God coming among us and God’s remaining with us.
So at this time we must ask ourselves earnestly, do we really embrace the true meaning of the season we celebrate? Do we fully appreciate what we are preparing for in the next few weeks? Are we setting aside enough time to pray and to reflect on what we are preparing for as we rush about engaging the business of the season? Are we really ready to receive into our hearts God incarnate, the Word made flesh, born in poverty in a stable in Bethlehem?
That is the heart of Advent and our role is to be vigilant, to be aware, and to be alive in Jesus.
With hope for good things to come, let us await the little child who comes to fill our hearts and bring peace to our troubled world! The little child, Jesus Christ yesterday, today and forever. Blessed Advent!
With my esteem and prayers,
© 2015 Fr. Phil Florio, S.J. Pastor
NB – As promised, I offer you the address of the Jesuit Center should you wish to write a note or send a card to our beloved Fr. McAndrews who is awaiting surgery and preparing for a significant recovery. Again, Father is in good spirits and offers to OSJ his prayers and best wishes.
Rev. Jerry McAndrews, S.J.
Jesuit Community of St. Issac Jogues
P.O. Box 223
Wernersville, PA 19565-0223
