Second Week of Advent - 2023

We are about to enter Week Two of Advent, that time when we are preparing for the Coming of Christ the Saviour of the world. We also believe that there will be a Second Coming in which Jesus will bring to an end this order of creation and establish a new heaven and a new earth following the Day of Judgment. But did you know that there is a Third Coming which takes place in time between the First and the Second? This coming is no less real and it is happening now even as we speak. In this coming Jesus' presence is not visible but it is no less real. While we do not see Jesus' present we experience his presence working in us, in the depths of our soul, in our minds and hearts. The First Coming has taken place already in history. The Second Coming is yet to happen in the future. But today we are not alone, on our own, struggling to make sense of this life all by ourselves, Jesus is here with us now leading, guiding and protecting us through each and every day of our lives. As Jesus brought his disciples to the mountain of the Ascension to conclude his First Coming he commissioned them with these words. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age." (Matt. 28:20) Now the Third Coming is about to begin with Pentecost and the anointing of the Church by the Holy Spirit. Jesus continues to be present and working in and through the many ministries of the the Church, especially through the sacraments.  In our popular culture Christmas is beginning to loose its meaning for true Christians; even the name is being replaced with the name 'The Holiday Season'. That is why Advent is such an important time. Yes we revisit the memories of the First Coming but let us not look on Christmas in a nostalgic way, but to be a time of Faith renewal. Jesus is truly here with us now. Let our voices now be heard: "Speak Lord, your servants are listening." + + + + + + + +  Office of Reading From a sermon by Saint Bernard, abbot "God’s Word will come to us." We know that there are three comings of the Lord. The third lies between the other two. It is invisible, while the other two are visible. In the first coming he was seen on earth, dwelling among men; he himself testifies that they saw him and hated him. In the final coming all flesh will see the salvation of our God, and they will look on him whom they pierced. The intermediate coming is a hidden one; in it only the elect see the Lord within their own selves, and they are saved. In his first coming our Lord came in our flesh and in our weakness; in this middle coming he comes in spirit and in power; in the final coming he will be seen in glory and majesty. Because this coming lies between the other two, it is like a road on which we travel from the first coming to the last. In the first, Christ was our redemption; in the last, he will appear as our life; in this middle coming, he is our rest and consolation. In case someone should think that what we say about this middle coming is sheer invention, listen to what our Lord himself says: If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him. There is another passage of Scripture which reads: He who fears God will do good, but something further has been said about the one who loves, that is, that he will keep God’s word. Where is God’s word to be kept? Obviously in the heart, as the prophet says: I have hidden your words in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. Keep God’s word in this way. Let it enter into your very being, let it take possession of your desires and your whole way of life. Feed on goodness, and your soul will delight in its richness. Remember to eat your bread, or your heart will wither away. Fill your soul with richness and strength. If you keep the word of God in this way, it will also keep you. The Son with the Father will come to you. The great Prophet who will build the new Jerusalem will come, the one who makes all things new. This coming will fulfill what is written: As we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, we shall also bear the likeness of the heavenly man. Just as Adam’s sin spread through all mankind and took hold of all, so Christ, who created and redeemed all, will glorify all, once he takes possession of all.

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