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VATICAN — Pope Benedict XVI has said Advent is a time to extend God’s “Kingdom of love” and to reflect on the coming of Jesus into the world.
“Amid the turmoil of the world, or the deserts of indifference and materialism, Christians accept salvation from God and witness with a different way of life, like a city set on a hill,” said Pope Benedict during his Dec. 2 Angelus comments at St. Peter’s Square.
The Holy Father said that the community of believers is “a sign of the love of God, his justice that is present in history but that is not yet fully realized, and that we must, therefore, always be waiting and seeking it with courage and patience.”
He said Advent begins a new liturgical year that is “further enriched” this year by the Year of Faith, which marks the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council.
The word “advent” means “coming” or “presence.” In ancient times, it originally meant the visit of a king or emperor, but for Christians, it now refers to the coming of God, the Pope explained.
Advent refers to two moments related to the first and second coming of Jesus, according to the Pope. The first is the Incarnation, and the second is his coming at the end of time.
He said these two moments are “deeply touching” because Jesus’ death and resurrection have “already made the transformation of man and the cosmos, which is the end for which we were created.”
Pope Benedict said the Virgin Mary perfectly embodies the spirit of Advent, which involves both listening to God and having a deep desire to do his will in joyful service to others.
“Let us be guided by her, because some are closed to or distracted from God,” he said. “May each of us extend a little of his Kingdom of love, justice and peace.”
He said the “saving plan of God” is always taking place and constantly requires the free collaboration of man and the Church.
The Pope referred to the Sunday reading from Gospel of Luke, which says “watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened by drunkenness and the cares of life. … Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen.”
He also spoke of St. Paul’s exhortation to “increase and abound in love.”
Turning to more specific concerns, the Pope appealed to governments to promote disabled people's full participation in society.
“Each person, despite his physical and psychological limits, even serious ones, is always invaluable and must be considered as such,” he said.
The Pope encouraged church communities to be attentive and welcoming towards them and said he urged governments to “protect people with disabilities and promote their full participation in society.”
Dec. 3 marks the International Day for People With Disabilities.
Pope Benedict also mentioned the beatification of Devasahayam Pillai, an Indian lay Catholic from the 18th century who died as a martyr:“We join the joy of the Church in India and pray that the new 'Blessed' sustain the faith of the Christians of that great and noble country.”
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Deacon Dan say’s the Pope’s statement of “Advent” as the coming of Jesus, the Lord and God is exactly we really need in time of chaos and uncertainties we’ve really don’t know what is to happen. I think Christmas’12 is much different that use to know and celebrate we could feel it in our whole life. This time of event we must continue and learn to pray more to God. Piety is what we need now so to save our children and family. Also, the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Jesus, an instrument of peace and hope. We turn to her like our true mother at all times.
May we find tranquility and peace in times.
God bless the world.
Deacon Ludano
How about ending discrimination against the female half of God’s Image as requested in Vatican II, throughout the Spirit of Vatican II, and specifically in Article 29 + others of the Pastoral Constitution of Vatican II, over 50 years ago, that states “Within The Church there must be no more discrimination due to race, sex,...as not the Will of God”.
Ms. Dudney I don’t understand this desire to be priests or should I say priestesses. Women and men are different with very distinct roles in human society. The church you deride as being discriminatory is the one body that freed women from the yoke of subservience. Prior to the spread of Christianity (Catholicism), women where on the most part voiceless property. The church made sure girls got educated and husbands treated their wives with dignity. This blurring of gender differences in recent decades is producing un-masculine males. Women decry the absence of marriage worthy men, and boyhood lasts too long. Please accept your femininity. It does not mean you are any less than a man. When women stop allowing men to use them like objects for gratification, the true genius of woman will shine. Have you read Pope John Paul II’s letter to women, or the closing speech of Vatican II, or Humanae Vitae?
By the way, I am married with three daughters. I serve my ladies. I am firm when needed, but I make sure they understand from an early age there are God given differences which should never be crossed.
You miss so much good in the church by focusing on a matter that WILL NOT change. God bless you, my sister in Christ. Look to Mary of Nazareth for the example of a strong woman.
Awesome Karl. I too have 2 girls and a beautiful wife. Man and Woman are bound sacramentaly to be ONE Flesh, the two making one perfect being. We are not equals but indispensable parts of a whole that fit erfectly together. One thing that really disheartens me is that while we should always debate issues within the church there must be an obedience to the truths we FAITHFULLY accept. Jesus could have leveled mountains to stop his crucifixion but he didn’t. He gave us the perfect example of obedience and sacrifice. And we look to Mother Mary as the female version of that obedience and faithful sacrifice for TRUTH. If we believe that Jesus gave the authority to Peter to lead the church AND to appoint his successor with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Then we must accept the Teachings and rulings of the Holy See as truth. always contemplate and debate - no question - but the reason for advent is exactly what is needed for us to prepare our understanding of our church and our roles as laity within the church. We must “Wait” and in GOD’s time we will see the changes that are needed to bring about the second Coming of Jesus.
THE BREAD OF LIFE
Into Bethlehem, the city of bread – Our Savior came.
For the Eucharist, bread of life is yet another name.
He lay in a manger that gives animals food for life.
In a bitter cold cave, life began in intended strife.
Heavenly angels came to proclaim to shepherds great joy,
and announce the birth of Our Savior as a baby boy.
Shepherds were overcome by awe and associated fear.
Fear gave in to joy for the glorious sounds they could hear.
Power and might of the heavenly host calmed shepherd’s fears.
They were truly assured that God was indeed very near.
Many said let us go so we can view this divine sight.
They were in awe of Mother and Child in glorious light.
For their humility they were God’s most honored choices,
to be privileged as first to hear the heralds’ voices.
Three wise men were proceeding on a journey from afar.
They were promised to be guided by a special bright star.
The sight of wondrous displays were such a heavenly cue,
so that everyone would then understand worship was due.
The world has surely strayed so far from the message heard,
it has never had a greater need for the Incarnate Word.
Bob Rowland
VI/IV/MMXII
Karl and Joe, Your responses to Ms. Dudney’s plea is awesome. You voiced the very thoughts that were in my mind and I support them. We, Man and woman do have very distinct purposes in life and we ought to seek to perfect them and not hanker for the positions that man has been assigned to by God.
Nothing in Betty’s comment refers to women becoming priests.
Unknown to most Vatican II which is the Catholic Covenant or Canon that we are under, specifically within The Pastoral Constitution, Article 29, + others as well but there it specically is spelled out that “Within The Church, there must be no more discrimination according to race, or sex… as not the Will of God”.
It has been ignored since the untimely death of Pope John Paul I, who said three days before his shortened life in St. Peter’s Square to thousands, that he was going to do what he could for women’s equality as well as clean up the Vatican Bank. Both are still in disaray, as well as the morality of those in control of The Vatican in matter of the Pedophil
disgrace as well.
Time to wake up to what has been happening, and isn’t the first time, in our history. Do you really think it is wise to keep your blinders on, do you really the Chickens are not going to come home to roost, or the wolfs are not in henhouse, so to speak?
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