Dear Parishioners,

We are once again at the beginning of the new liturgical year. It reminds us of a new beginning in our life-style as Christians. It reminds us also to start anew, renew our faith and give our life new spiritual orientation. All of us have somewhere and somehow experienced failures in life and realized that many of our plans and good resolutions have remained unfulfilled. And, therefore, we understand all the better, the value of making a new beginning. The Church has again given us a new year to take a fresh look at ourselves and to mold our lives according to the pattern set out in the Gospel.

For Karl Rahner, one of the most influential Roman Catholic theologians, Advent means 'coming of the future'. There is a certain amount of anxiety and insecurity about the future. Our worries and fears about the future have the potential to take such control of us that we end up expecting the worst possible scenario. "I am really afraid or I do not know what is going to happen" is an expression we use when we are in the midst of problems and difficulties. It expresses our worry and uncertainty about the future.

However, today's readings exhort us to await the Lord's coming in glory with hope and confidence. The author of the Gospel clearly states besides the picturesque description about the end of the world, the most decisive event: "The Son of man is coming in power and glory." The 'Good news' is that we all end not in nothingness, not in resignation and disappointment, but in the hope of life with Lord Jesus Christ. In the chaos of this world and in our brokenness, we can all still experience hope by encountering Jesus.

"In late 18th century, the Kaiser's forces were burning all the villages in Poland. One village had been burned and nothing was left standing. As the sun came up the next morning an old man pounded a few boards together, made a sellers stall and opened it up for business. A young man walked passed, stared in disbelief and asked, "What are you selling among these ruins. The man smiled and said, "I am selling hope. You can sell water on a dry desert and the place to sell hope is on the ash heap of destruction."

Hope! We all want to hope. Hope for a loved one who is sick. Hope for someone who lost a job and wants to find a new one. Hope for someone who has been given a broken heart and want stop find a new companion. We all hope for something. Advent is a time for hope. We hope and look forward to Jesus coming. The hope of Jesus' coming changes our lives. We change into people who bring of measure of love, kindness and our own hope in this world. This season of Advent reminds us again of the great love God has for us through His son. His son who was born in a manger and died on a Cross. That love changes us, and bring hope into our lives. "Hope is some extraordinary spiritual grace that God gives us to control our fears, not to oust them." [Fr. Vincent McNabb, a Dominican theologian]

This Advent season, may each of us prepare for our Lord's coming so that we can live in faith, hope, and joyful expectation – instead of fear and worry. Our future is in God's hands. As we journey into Advent, Jesus invites us to open our lives up to God's unexpected, new and wonderful future. So, take heed, pray, and get ready to celebrate the coming of our Lord with faith, hope and joy.

God bless us all!

Father Lawrence