This Sunday we begin our advent journey towards Christmas; it is a time when we begin by lighting the first candle to ignite the light of hope. All five candles have different meanings but point to one conclusion – Jesus Christ.
If you look at the wreath, though in a circular form, yet all the candles are together; they are connected to one another. When lit, each candle illuminates a part of the wreath, if it’s put off, that part of the wreath will appear darker than the other parts. Therefore, each candle is important to illuminate its part.
I am reminding you to proactively and enthusiastically participate in the ongoing diocesan activities for Advent and Christmas.
While we all walk and work together as part of our synodal faith journey, we also have to prepare because advent is a season for us to prepare. This preparation is not about what clothes to wear and what sweets or dishes to make for Christmas but rather it is the spiritual preparation of our hearts, minds and souls for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Making a good confession is the first step in this spiritual exercise, followed by some spiritual reading, meditation and doing acts of mercy like reaching out to the poor and needy and those who have lost their loved ones; reconciling with those who have hurt us.
While we light each candle in our Churches, a bigger candle is ignited in our hearts, which is the light of God, because God physically comes into our hearts and we must carry and spread that light in our families communities; this is how we can spread the light of Christ.
In the image above, I purposely replaced the centre candle with an image of a monstrance to remind all of us to re-discover the real presence of God in the Eucharist.
I wish you all a fruitful and joyful advent season.
Your shepherd in Christ,
+Bishop Alwyn Barreto.