Advent 2023: Week 1 Reflection

Yet, LORD, you are our father; we are the clay and you our potter: we are all the work of your hand.
​-Isaiah 64:7

A Reflection
By Fr. Jean-Philippe Lokpo, Pastor, St. John XXIII Parish

Advent is the season that begins the liturgical year, and most importantly, it is the time of waiting for the Lord’s coming into our lives. During Advent, we prepare ourselves spiritually to welcome Jesus once again into our “here and now” through his Word, the sacraments, other people, and events. During Advent, we renew our desire to see him at the end of days, at his glorious coming as our Lord and universal judge. Advent is an important time in our faith journey, and using this time to reflect on the Word of God can help us to develop a positive inner disposition. In this season of preparation, this positive disposition can help us grow the skills we need to experience the work of the Lord in our lives:

1. Watching for the Lord. First, we are called to watchfulness. In our daily life, we can allow so many things to take the whole of our attention and energy. Through the prophets and the many parables of Jesus, we are called to be watchful, to open our eyes and to see the many ways in which the Lord wants to touch our lives.
2. Recognizing the Lord’s Presence. Second, we must develop the capacity to recognize the Lord as he comes to us. The Lord is already present in our lives, but there are times when it is not easy for us to recognize him. During this time of Advent, we are challenged to see how the Lord makes his presence felt, not only when we are in prayer or at church, but also in our families, at work, in the parish, and wherever we are.
3. Welcoming the Lord. Recognizing the presence of the Lord leads us to welcome him with joy. Our welcoming of the Lord takes concrete shape in the holiness of our lives. The coming of the Lord transforms and renews us, leading us to be shaped into his image through the action of the Holy Spirit. Welcoming the Lord calls for conversion and for a life of communion with the Lord and with our sisters and brothers. It also means responding to a powerful invitation to see the signs of the Kingdom of God among us, despite the many problems that affect our world, such as wars, diseases, and pollution. Amidst the negativity, we are called to believe in God who showers his mercy and compassion on all humankind, a God who gives us strength and energy to build his kingdom and who, one day, will make all things new.

As the first reading on this first Sunday of Advent proclaims: “We are the clay and you our potter: we are all the work of your hand.” We know that we are in the hands of God. He makes us according to his will into a perfect image of his eternal beauty. We are awaiting his coming this Christmas.

​I wish you a happy and prayerful Advent season.

​Next: Week 2