Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
There is something wonderful about this time of year. In spite of our own busyness, the earth is quiet… resting… waiting… We would do well to learn from nature’s example! Embracing Advent is not easy; there are so many forces pulling us in other directions. Yet, this season of hopeful anticipation calls us to let go, pull back, make the time to sit quietly and remember…
…remember that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us… healing and forgiving… preaching the Good News of his Father’s Kingdom… dying for our sake… and, rising from the dead, calling all men and women to himself…
…remember that this same Christ is with us today, in the Scriptures proclaimed and the Sacraments celebrated, in the community gathered and in the faces of the poor and marginalized…
…remember that we are heirs of the promise that Christ will come again… that, in spite of evidence to the contrary, we can hope because God is faithful. Gazing ahead into the undiscovered country of that future, please allow me to make St. Paul’s words to his beloved sisters and brothers in Philippi my own:
And this is my prayer:
that your love may increase more and more
in knowledge and every kind of perception,
to discern what is of value,
so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness
that comes through Jesus Christ
for the glory and praise of God.
(Phil 1:9-11; from the second reading for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year C)
Blessed Advent to all,
Most Rev. Martin Amos
Bishop of Davenport
