We are in the first week of our Advent journey. Twenty days from today, we celebrate Christmas Day. I was invited to attend a workshop for chancery officials this week in New Orleans - only canon lawyers would schedule such a workshop during Advent, right? - hahaha. But with all I have to do during Advent here at our parishes in Clinton and Raymond, and in the Diocese, I felt like I needed to be here with all of you this week getting ready for the birth of our savior. We know that Advent is a super busy time, and with our busy holiday schedules, we have to make time for our faith life and make it priority with all the things filling our time.
I associate the prophet Isaiah with the coming of Jesus as we prepare for his birth in this holy season of Advent, as we prepare and wait. Isaiah’s message foreshadows the coming of the Lord into the world and the Gospel message that Jesus brings through his words and ministry. In today’s reading from Isaiah, we hear about a lofty arrogant city that is brought down by the Lord, a city that ignores justice and shuts out the cries of the poor. The city is turned into dust. The dust, in turn, is trampled down by the footsteps of the poor, the oppressed, and the downtrodden.
I love this quote from Pope Francis: "Advent invites us to a commitment to vigilance, looking beyond ourselves, expanding our mind and heart in order to open ourselves up to the needs of people, of brothers and sisters, and to the desire for a new world.” The pope’s words echo Isaiah’s message today. How is Advent calling us to works of mercy during this holy season and to reach out to those who needs us as we prepare for the coming of Lord?
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