The First Sunday of Advent

I love the season of Advent. It seems to be just the right amount of time. Liturgically, we are preparing to celebrate the First Coming of Christ but we are also anticipating His Second Coming at the Final Judgment. Through the eyes of Jesus' public ministry that led to his passion,death and resurrection, our Risen Lord directs us to be prepared for Him.

We prepare for the celebration of His birth as our Messiah by festive gatherings, giving of gifts as a reminder that Jesus is the greatest Gift God has given us and by intensifying our prayer life and spirituality. Part of this preparation certainly entails repentance and the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

We must also be prepared for Christ coming to us in the Sacraments of the Church. Certainly we must be repentant and forgiven if we are to receive the Most Holy Eucharist worthily. It is Christ who comes to us in this and all the Sacraments.

It is also necessary to receive the Sacrament of Penance prior to receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Sacrament of Matrimony and the Sacrament of Holy Orders. In other words, our meeting Christ and receiving Him must be done in a state of grace.

Advent as well as Lent reminds us to be always repentant, because to receive the Lord with a haughty, unrepentant heart will not go well for us especially at our personal judgment.