Reflections on the Second of Advent

By Mgr Jan Jaworski

It is time now for you to wake from sleep (Rom 13:11).

Advent offers us the opportunity to build anew the great friendship of man with God. Friendship with God matures in silence and prayer. In conditions of concentration and solitude, the Lord allows us to understand the cross, to love it, and to place our will on the tracks of his divine will.

Advent is not in itself a goal; it ends with the birth of Christ. Likewise, human life is not in itself a goal; it demands the birth of the Redeemer. Mankind’s longings are realised in Jesus Christ.

The brief period of Advent enables us to become aware of the transience of everything. It should inspire us to be positive and prepare us to experience the coming of the Lord with great power and majesty to each one of us. Our hopeful faith resounds in the words of John the Baptist: “Repent, the kingdom of God is at hand.” His proclamation is followed by the announcement that he for whom many generations have been waiting is coming.

The Church shows us the path towards our personal conversion. In the call to “repent”, there is the conviction that man ought to continually improve himself; at the least people feel that they ought to become better, otherwise their conscience bites.
The Advent liturgy repeats the call Veni – come. The Church entreats the coming of the Redeemer into the souls of the faithful, so as to prepare them for the dignified celebration of the birth of Christ as well as for the final coming of the Lord.

The history of the Church is instructive. St Francis of Assisi renounced everything to take the Gospel to the poor, as well as to shake the consciences of the wealthy. Vincent à Paulo spent his whole life rescuing those living in poverty. Br Albert Chmielowski, a painter, took care of those most neglected. Fr Maximilian Kolbe went to the death bunker in place of a fellow prisoner. St Faustina, though her dynamism wished to lead the world to the merciful Jesus.

These are signs and proofs that we are on the road. That we climb ever higher – towards full humanity. New religious movements have as their aim to uplift the values of human morals. A South African movement by the name “Moral Regeneration Movement” aims to create an awareness that our humanity is perfected through the building of good human characters which will serve for the good of all. The time of Advent is a wonderful time to reflect on this.

We must adapt our way of thinking and acting to God’s plans. It is not sufficient just to be baptised, to be Catholics. In out thoughts and in our actions we must always be aware of Christ’s teachings, so that we can be fully his disciples.

Now the God of hope may fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:13).

This is the second in a series of articles Mgr Jan Jaworski wrote for The Southern Cross, completed just a few days before his death on October 8.