From the Desk of Father John
November 30, 2025
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This Sunday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Advent. Advent is a time of preparation in expectation of the celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas. The origin of the term Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming”. It reminds us of the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time.
The first two weeks of Advent highlight our preparedness for the Second Coming of Christ. The practice of what evolved into the season of Advent began in the fourth century in France. Originally, Advent was a period of preparation for catechumens who would be Baptized during Christmas. The period of Baptismal preparation began on the feast of St. Martin of Tours, November 11th, and lasted approximately 40 days. It was known as St. Martin’s Lent. In the 6th and 7th century, our patron saint, Pope Saint Gregory I composed many of the prayers and antiphons which we currently use during the Advent season. It was during this time that the current form of the season was shaped.
Liturgically, the season of Advent helps to prepare our minds and hearts to receive Jesus anew at Christmas. We are called to cooperate with the grace God is giving us during this special time within the Church and to prepare our hearts and minds. When we think of important events or accomplishments in our lives, there is a significant amount of work and preparation needed for them to occur. Within our families, in work, school or in sports, for a significant change or achievement to occur there is a level of effort and determination needed on our part. This is no less true in our lives of faith. We are prompted during the Advent season by the Holy Spirit to grow in our walk with Christ and to respond to His call for cleansing and holiness in our lives. We are called to become divine coworkers with God and to respond to His action in our lives. If you imagine preparing for the birthday celebration of a close friend or relative, how much time and effort would you put into making sure they had an excellent party? How much more time and effort ought we to devote in preparing our hearts and minds to receive those graces which the Lord, who became flesh and who suffered and died for us, desires to bestow upon us?
May we not waste this time that we have been given, but heed the words of Jesus in the Gospel, “For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” (Matthew 24:42-44)
Let us heed the words of Jesus. We must be prepared! What are those ways Jesus desires us to make room for Him this Christmas? How does Jesus desire to work within us and through us this Advent? May we not allow this to be just another Advent, but truly turn back to the Lord with our whole hearts and seek a renewal of our hearts and minds. Advent is a grace filled time because it provides us the opportunity to rid our lives of whatever holds us back from truly following or committing our lives to God. It provides us with the time to open our hearts in a greater way to Christ, who loves us and is close to us. As the book of Revelation states, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3:20) If we only open our hearts to Jesus in prayer and reflection, we would receive so much more than we had hoped for. May we allow the Lord to work in our hearts in a deeper way this Advent, saying yes to His plans for us. Whether it be through coming to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, praying with Sacred Scripture, praying a daily Rosary, simply listening to Him speak to us in silence or through performing acts of loving service, God can do miracles through small acts of faith and love. May we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us this Advent and to prepare a room for the Christ child to be born in a new way in our lives and hearts this Christmas.