Dear Friend of Carmel Mission,
The season of Advent is drawing to a close, are you ready? If you are like me, the answer is probably not! Do not worry, there is still plenty of time for us procrastinators to get our holiday shopping done and everything wrapped and under the tree, or so I keep telling myself. Even if your decorating and shopping is a bit behind, I hope that this Advent season has been rich in spiritual preparation for the coming of our Savior.
We are preparing to welcome again a familiar cast of characters. Mary and Joseph, tired from their journey to Bethlehem. The frazzled innkeepers with their no vacancy signs. The barn animals who are willing to share their simple home and hearth with the exhausted couple. The shepherds, tending their flocks on the cold hills of Judea. The angels, ready to sing their good news of great joy. The star, preparing to illuminate the heavens with a holy light. The magi, traveling by the light of that star to meet a new guiding light, Jesus Christ.
We are preparing to welcome again a familiar cast of characters. Mary and Joseph, tired from their journey to Bethlehem. The frazzled innkeepers with their no vacancy signs. The barn animals who are willing to share their simple home and hearth with the exhausted couple. The shepherds, tending their flocks on the cold hills of Judea. The angels, ready to sing their good news of great joy. The star, preparing to illuminate the heavens with a holy light. The magi, traveling by the light of that star to meet a new guiding light, Jesus Christ.
In the Gospel today Elizabeth says to Mary, “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:45) The example and inspiration of Mary’s faith is always before us in the Advent season. We strive to have her faith, to trust in God’s plan, to listen to God’s voice, to prioritize God’s will. We may often feel more like the man in Mark’s Gospel who says Jesus, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). We want to believe, but our human nature interferes.
Jesus is coming into the world again to help our unbelief by saying, “I Am for you.” My hope for us this year is that, as individuals and as a community, our unbelief will be eased a little bit more, and we come ever closer to God’s Kingdom of love.
I wish you and your loved ones continued Advent blessings of good health, new hope and joyful anticipation,
Fr. Paul
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