We have beautiful rhythms to our Church rituals and seasons. Advent prepares us for Christmas, which brings us birth, light, Epiphany, Baptism and Presentation. A brief period of Ordinary Time always gives way to Ash Wednesday, the repentant and interior journey of Lent, which every year is followed by the action packed cornerstone of our faith – The Triduum, guiding us on a powerful adventure beginning with the institution of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday, then to the dramatic suffering and death of Christ on Good Friday, the pause of Holy Saturday, and the splendor of Easter, which can most fully be appreciated by participating in the Vigil of welcoming the night before Easter. Next comes the Easter season, which culminates with Pentecost and the resuming of Ordinary Time through summer and into fall which leads us to a new year in Advent, and the rhythm goes on.
As I list this cliff notes version of the year, I am also reminded of some of the sub plots. For instance Advent is always anchored by the preparatory challenge of John the Baptist and the expecting, pregnant Virgin Mary. We hear part of the Baptist’s challenge this weekend in the Gospel according to Matthew. “Repent,” says John,“…for the Kingdom of God is at hand!” He continues, “I am baptizing you with water, for repentance but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I…he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
We are familiar with these words, but let us pay particular attention to them this year. Let us be more open to the fire of Jesus Christ’s presence in our lives. Let us be open to being baptized in His spirit as we associate His growing presence with the lights of our wreath that do not vary much from year to year. Since some of these Advent symbols are familiar, let’s not be complacent with them and, more importantly, with the journey. If we become too familiar with our rituals and symbols we risk becoming like the Pharisees and Sadducees that John the Baptist addresses. Let’s not rest on the fact that we are sons and daughters of Abraham, but let’s renew our efforts in the fire and spirit of Jesus Christ here with us and coming anew this Christmas.
Amidst the familiar of each season, we hope that you appreciate the unique spins that we put on each season and each year. Some of the journey this Advent will be familiar. We have 2 wreaths, one in the sanctuary and the other in the Narthex, reminding us of the color and light marking the progression of the season. Some of the journey this Advent will be quite different. We hope that you open yourself up to the gradual growth of light in our church that will slowly guide our waiting for the greatest light. The church will be darker than usual, particularly as Mass begins.
We will be singing a response to our Prayers of the Faithful (also called the Petitions or the Prayers of the People) in four languages: Tagalog, Spanish, English and Latin. Please allow yourself time to become familiar with these responses and consider that they join us with those who speak different languages. We will be praying the Nicene Creed following the homily, which includes different wording than the Apostles Creed that we have been praying for the past year and a half. The most notable addition is saying the phrase that we believe, “…in Jesus Christ…begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father.” Consubstantial means of the same substance or essence. This is a powerful statement of our belief in the unity, connectedness and very essence of the three persons of the Trinity, and particularly that of the second person, Jesus Christ, and the first person, the Father or Creator.
Please also notice that our introductory rites will be a bit more somber which we hope will lead you in a more meditative prayer, all helping us to embrace the essence of Advent, which is to ready our hearts for the growing light that is Jesus Christ coming into our world this Christmas. You will notice as we start a new Church year and read primarily from the Gospel of Matthew there will be many references to light. Hopefully you will not only notice this light at Christmas, but beyond, in the celebrations of the Christmas season that include, Mary the Mother of God, The Baptism of the Lord, and especially Epiphany.
Please also notice that these changes are seasonal and will give way to the return of any Holy Family traditions, such as acknowledging birthdays and anniversaries when Advent is done.
Accompanying the growing light will be our new theme for the year, reNEW. This word not only supports the efforts of our new cardinal and the Archdiocese of Chicago, but it is an invitation for all of us. As you can see, the emphasis is on the word NEW. This year brings us opportunities to reNEW our selves as God’s people in our local church, but also here at Holy Family. It quite simply is an invitation to be an even HOLIER Family. I am asking you very directly to be the evangelizers of the many good, positive, creative, powerful and meaningful ministries that happen here at Holy Family every day. I am asking you to be harbingers of our many ministries and how they have enriched your faith life and that of your family.
An opportunity to reNEW your spirit is our all parish Advent Reconciliation Service on Wednesday, December 14 at 7 pm. Mark your calendars.