Advent is about the human experience of waiting, which is a key part of the liturgical year. This time of year, is not just about celebrating specific feast days and rituals. Instead, its real power lies in how it touches our hearts and connects with our deepest feelings. By following the life of Jesus, we learn more about our own lives, emotions, and the struggles we face. This spiritual journey helps us understand ourselves better and find the strength to keep going.
Advent, in particular, teaches us to wait and see beyond the obvious. It invites us to find God in the small, everyday moments of life. Each day, we discover something new that adds to the bigger picture of our faith journey. This teaches us patience and helps us grow spiritually. By focusing on the present and recognizing God’s work in our lives, we become more mature in our faith and better prepared for what is yet to come.
This liturgical period also encourages us to slow down and reflect in a world that often feels rushed and overwhelming. It provides a break from our hectic routines to provide us an opportunity to think about what truly matters. By reading the Scriptures, we are reminded of the deeper, spiritual aspects of life that we might overlook in our daily routines. This season helps us develop a taste for the spiritual, for the things that last beyond the fleeting moments of our everyday lives. It calls us to be more mindful, to appreciate the present, and to prepare our hearts for the coming of God’s reign.
Pause and reflect:
- Do I really know God when I have no desire to die in order to possess him?
- If I were to die and come back to life again, would I still lead the sort of life I am living now?
- Am I truly sorry for my sins if I have no genuine intention of avoiding situations that might lead me to sin again?
