Sure – we know about Advent. The Advent wreath and a pink candle — getting ready for Christmas — parties at work and school. I can’t be bothered by Church things as I’ve got too much going on. This is a crazy time of year.
But wait – maybe the Church in her wisdom DOES truly understand, and just like our God wants to alleviate some of that — if we truly want less stress and more peace in our hearts, then maybe we can take Her up on some suggestions.
Advent begins with longing, waiting, hoping, remembering, and looking forward. The Church does not celebrate Christmas until December 25 and then we celebrate it for several weeks following, whereas culture celebrates Christmas weeks before and then December 26 comes and we turn off the lights and rest. If getting ready for Christmas is such a busy and stressful time, then maybe participating in just a little of the approach of Holy Mother Church might be a good respite. Come to Church and experience a calmer liturgy – less noise and more silence. Come to Church anytime on Tuesday between 9 and 9 for silence as our Consecrated Lord resides in the monstrance on the altar looking at you – quietly – longing for you – loving you. Stop in for 5 minutes or an hour and just be with Him and remember He is always within you.
Do you need a break? Do you feel like a change would be welcomed? This first Sunday of Advent opens with a selection from the Book of Isaiah. We hear the pleas of a community shortly after their return from exile. The prophet Isaiah does not mince words in his plea to God: “Rend” – to rip, rupture, sever. Tear up the heavens, O God. Remove anything that keeps distance between God and God’s people. What powerful imagery to convey the urgency with which we need God’s love to be close and ever closer to us. Who is calling after you and begging you to love them with the same urgency? Your spouse? Your children? Do you give in rather to the calls of the world to buy and compete and be busy?
This week, we offer to you as part of this year of eucharistic Revival three special opportunities to come to rest and renew. Each night beginning at 7:00 we will have a Holy Hour including Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, some silence, some music, and a teaching from a dynamic young Catholic from our Archdiocesan Church. We conclude each night with Benediction as our Lord blesses everyone present so you may take that blessing into your lives. 
The message from the Gospel is brief and to the point: be on watch and be alert. Even the closest followers of Jesus had difficulty keeping this command and so we are in good company as they could not keep awake in the garden as Jesus neared the cross. We too are in a crucial hour: a time of cultural and social and political shifts; a time when there are children of God brutalized, abandoned, neglected; a time when equity and equality demand that privileged people relinquish control and stature. Are we asleep? Are we ignoring the call to not compete in the selfishness? Do we assume that someone else will do the work of being a Christian for us and we will reap the benefits, or are we actively engaged in discerning what role God is asking us to play?
Don’t give in to the crazy! Give in to His invitation to come to Him and find rest. ‘Rend the heavens and come down, O Lord! Rip apart the crazy and give your strength so that we may not give in!’ Then watch — He will amaze!
God Bless,
