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The Chaplains Message
The season of Advent has been celebrated in the Church since the fourth century. The Church adopted this word from the Latin word Adventus, used in ancient times to describe the arrival or presence of a king who had come to visit parts of his kingdom.
At the beginning of this joyful season of Advent, we set out on a journey of spiritual preparation, not only for Christmas but also for the second coming of the Lord at the end of time. Be watchful and ready: you know not when the Son of Man is coming(Matt 24). Jesus says that on that day or hour nobody knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, no one but the Father. He exhorts his disciples to be like the doorkeeper in the parable who awaits the return of the master of the house awake and vigilant at evening, midnight, cockcrow, dawn.
As Christians we have the gift of faith; and this enables us to see beyond this world. Let us renew our faith this Advent season so that our eyes may see and our ears may hear the wondrous truth that we are born for immortality. In the seasons light and shade, words and music, holly and Ivy, candles and wreaths of greenery, may we see and hear the joyful proclamation of the coming of our Redeemer. Let us be ready to meet him so that, whatever our weaknesses, strengths, hopes, fears, joys, or disappointments, when at last our Redeemer comes to us, our eyes shall be fully opened and we shall recognize the ONE who loved us from all eternity.
Fr. Dariusz.
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