First Sunday of Advent, December 2nd, 2018

First Sunday of Advent, December 2nd, 2018

This weekend the Church celebrates the liturgical "New Year" because we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent this weekend.  Advent, if you will, is the "count-down" towards Christmas.  Now, in the secular world, the count-down towards "Black Friday" has come and gone and that is all some people care about.  But as nice as it is both to shop and to also receive nice presents come Christmas time, the Church has provided the holy season of Advent to help keep us focused on the "Real Reason for the Season:"  the Blessed Christ Child and His coming into the world as the Messiah.

In the Thirteenth Chapter of the Letter to the Romans, we hear the following:  " OWE no man any thing, but to love one another . . . ."  Then St. Paul goes on to say that if we love one another we have fulfilled the law (Chapter 13:8)  This advice seems pretty simple and yet pretty difficult at the same time: simple to follow in the examples of people that we love and are easy to love;  difficult because of the people that are just that:  "difficult" to get along with.  And, yet, St. Paul just like Our Blessed Lord, did not make a distinction between the two: those that are easy to love and those who are difficult to love.  It's easy to love those that are good to us, that treat us well, that are fun and naturally happy.   It's easy to love those who do nice things for us and treat us nicely.  It's very easy to love people like that.  But as I say, St. Paul never made a distinction between how to treat nice people as opposed to how to treat not-so-nice people.  And I am not aware of Our Lord making a distinction, either.  In fact, in the sixth chapter of St. Luke's Gospel, we hear Our Lord speaking:  "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." (St. Luke 6: 27-28)  And then He goes on to say:  "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.  For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye?  for sinners also love those that love them.  And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye?  for sinners also do even the same."  (vv 31-32)  And, finally, Our Lord states plainly:  "But love ye your enemies, and do good and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest . . . " (v. 35)

We are indeed children of the Highest if we follow His commandments in our lives.  And following the commandments of God is sometimes pretty easy and straightforward.  But other times, following Our Lord can be a bit trickier like showing love to those whom we admittedly do not like very much.  But the Season of Advent is, first and foremost, a season of hope!  It is time spent waiting for the Messiah, waiting for the coming of the Messiah, waiting for the small Divine Infant Jesus, the One Who was sent to save the world.  This small innocent baby offers hope to the world, both the "good" and the "bad."  He offers love to the world, both the "good" and the "bad."  He offers forgiveness to the world, both the "good" and the "bad."  Our Lord does not make a distinction.  He offers His grace freely.  The only stipulation is that we must choose whether we accept His gift or not.  This Advent season, accept the gift that the Christ Child offers to you.  Make a place in your heart and make Him the ruler of your life.

The First Sunday of Advent Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, December 2nd, 2018 at 9:30 AM.  Mass is celebrated at the beautiful Chapel of Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.  Come join us as we worship Our Heavenly Father by listening to the Word of God found in the King James Version of the Bible and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.