Dear friends,
Today we enter the season of Advent. We all remember and know the invitation” “Stay awake!” Jesus knocks at our doors; will we open them? Each one and all of us are today afforded the opportunity to get out of fearful and worrisome situations to lift up our eyes towards the One who is coming to ransom us.
There are many things to do, especially during this season, to prepare for the coming of Jesus. Saint Paul makes a whole list of the ones we should avoid in the second reading, pointing out to what extent they are able to kill the child of God within us. Therefore, first things first, let’s “be awake,” and avoid being distracted by the illusory easy ways to fulfilment the world sets in front of us. True happiness is only found in and with Jesus.
Here in Holy Cross, one of the things we will be doing is to start saying our Nicene Creed at Holy Mass. Unlike the Apostles Creed, which we are used to for a while, this change will help us deepen our understanding not only of the mystery of the Incarnation but also to address in so many ways some of the questions related to the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, namely the Son. Moreover, the change has the advantage of reminding us that there are two official ways to profess our faith in the Catholic Church: the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed.
We will also have as spiritual companion, the Daily Meditation small book by Mary DeTurris Poust to journey with us throughout this season of Avent. I chose it myself as a pocket companion for my daily spiritual nourishment. Closeness to God though Scripture leads us to hunger for sacraments which are different channels God continues to pour his love and mercy on us. So I would like to invite you to make benefit of this season of grace and blessing to strengthen your relationship with God.
As we bless our Advent wreaths and light the first Advent candle, we lift up our hearts to the Lord who is on his way to us to lead us from darkness to His light; for He is the Light of the world.
And let us continue to pray for one another and for our parish family.
Fr. Emery