Happy New YEAR!!!

Today is the first day of our new liturgical year and the first day of the Season of Advent. Quite often we make resolutions at the beginning of a year but this year is already stressful enough. 

Maybe our resolution can be to enter into the Season of Advent. Advent is a season of preparation for the threefold coming of Christ - in Glory, in History and in Mystery. We are waiting and preparing for the Second coming of Jesus in all His Glory - that is what today's readings are about. We are waiting and preparing to celebrate the Historical Birth of our Lord and saviour 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. And finally, we are called to prepare our selves  to give birth to Christ in mystery in our lives, families, schools, and communities. 

Todays readings are about the second coming. 

“Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.  

How do we prepare foe so great a day? 

St. Paul  instructs us in the second reading, May the Lord make you ... abound in love for one another and for all, ..  And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

We prepare through our acts of charity. Joy is the fruit of living the virtue of Charity (love for one another and all) If we seek Joy then we will never find it. If we  live the virtue of Charity - giving selflessly of ourselves for the good of others, then Joy will permeate our lives even in challenging times. Then , even at the end of time, with joyful hearts, we will be able to stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. 

Let us continue to pray for each other and with each other as we 

share the message of God's Mercy.

Fr. Gerard Monaghan