Season of hope

Submitted on December 12, 2002

Send to friend The season of Advent is often called the season of hope - a fitting and proper name for the time of year devoted to the preparation of Christ's coming in glory and the remembering of His coming 2,000 years ago. All hope is in Jesus Christ, mindful that hope is not wishing for what might be; rather, hope is confidence in the fulfillment of the promise of our Heavenly Father to each of us. The promised Word took flesh and made His dwelling with us, confirming definitively the depth of God's love for us. Moreover, through the mystery of the Eucharist the living Word continues to make His dwelling with us, finding worthy tabernacles not only in our Churches but also in our hearts. The nature of this hope is such that it demands something from each of us. Armed with confidence, recognizing our Father's love, mercy and compassion, the believer in Christ is compelled to manifest his faith. There are a variety of ways to do this. The simplest yet most profound way we manifest our faith, hope and love is our participation in the Holy Sacrifice of Mass. There we encounter Christ Himself who speaks to us of coming into the world to serve, not to be served. This encounter with Christ rooted in hope exhorts us to be of service to our brothers and sisters. During the Advent season we are given ample opportunities to do this. There are a variety of secular organizations raising money, gathering food baskets and organizing toy drives to aid families during the holidays. In the Archdiocese of St. Louis, there are parishes and organizations collecting money, food and clothing to support homeless people and to support the seminary and everything in between. It might appear that everywhere you turn someone is asking for something. It might appear to be all together too much. However, it is not. What is donated during the Advent season is the beginning each year of efforts that for most people and groups continue throughout the year. This is why Advent is a good season for giving. The coming of Christ has inaugurated a new age, an age that is realized in our generosity to others. Some people will ask how much should be given and to whom it should be given. Those are valuable questions that are best answered in the context of the relationship that we share with God in Christ. What binds all of this together is the injunction to give, to serve and to sacrifice. We start in Advent and continue throughout the year only to begin again with each new Advent. This process is a reflection of the continuous strengthening and deepening of our relationship with God, which is ever ancient and ever new. As the journey of Advent continues, we must open our hearts to the coming of our Lord and manifest our openness by the gift of ourselves to each other. Christ has begun this good work and through Him it will be brought to fruition. Let us hasten to adore Him!