In the midst of our Advent journey, we celebrate a saint from Ireland who lived in the 7th century. St Flannan was the son of an Irish chieftain. He was educated by monks, who also taught him farming. He made a pilgrimage to Rome, where the pope made him the first Bishop of Killaloe. He was known for traveling around his diocese and drawing crowds to his preaching and the miracles he performed. He also was a missionary to the Hebrides islands in Scotland. He died in the latter part of the 7th century.
As we hear about this Celtic saint today, we hear from the prophet Zephaniah in our first reading. Zephaniah brought God’s message to the people of Judah six centuries before Christ's birth, bemoaning the injustices and the corruption that he saw. He spoke of the need for conversion, repentance, and renewal. This is not a message of doom and gloom, but rather a message of hope, of a remnant that is humble and that stays true to the Lord, who will live out their faith and pass it forward to the next generation. We hear this message as we prepare for our Advent reconciliation service here at Holy Savior tomorrow evening, where we will have an opportunity to acknowledge that we have indeed sinned and to ask the Lord for forgiveness. We give thanks for our Advent prophets and saints who help us and guide us in the season of preparation.
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