Advent Reflection by Sr. Susanne Hartung, SP
Advent is my favorite season in the liturgical year. It is a time of spiritual renewal.
First, it is a time of waiting – something that we all must do.
For what are we waiting? For what are we hoping? Advent is a time when we think about waiting for Christmas. It fits in perfectly with our natural human longings.
With the commercialization of Christmas, advent is also a time of darkness.
What does it take not to be caught up in the busyness of the season?
Instead, can we bring light to our world by doing something extra for our neighbor or by serving the poor in our neighborhood?
The Advent wreath with its daily prayers and marked by the lighting of each Sunday’s candles is a reminder of this period of reflection, preparing the way of the Lord.
In Luke’s gospel we are reminded of Isaiah’s foretelling:
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Luke 3:4-6)
What does this reading mean to us? How do we make the path easy and smooth for others? In doing so are we not preparing the way of the Lord?
In short, Advent may be the time for which we have been waiting!