November 25, 2024

Dear Friends,

We are now approaching this season of Advent in the Church calendar.   How we spend our time waiting, praying, and hoping for the coming of the Lord at Christmas will bring us special graces from the Lord.

Advent has the underlying theme of “Hope.”   What are we hoping for during the season of Advent?  St. Charles Borromeo points to the real meaning of this Advent season for us: “Each year, as the Church recalls this mystery (note that we are dealing with mystery), she urges us to renew the memory of the great love God has shown us.  This holy season (Advent) teaches us that Christ’s coming was not only for the benefit of his contemporaries; his power has still to be communicated to us all.  We shall share his power, if, through holy faith and the sacraments, we willingly accept the grace Christ has earned for us and live by that grace and in obedience to Christ.” 

He continues, “The Church asks us to understand that Christ, who came once in the flesh, is prepared to come again.  When we remove all obstacles to his presence, he will come, at any hour and moment, to dwell spiritually in our hearts, bringing with him the riches of his grace. In her concern for our salvation, our loving mother, the Church, uses this holy season to teach us through hymns, canticles, and other forms of expression of voice or ritual used by the Holy Spirit.  She shows us how grateful we should be for so great a blessing, and how to gain its benefit: our hearts should be as much prepared for the coming of Christ as if he were still to come into this world.”

Pope Benedict XVI of blessed memory teaches, “Advent reminds us, therefore, of two things:  first, that God’s presence in the world has already begun, that he is present though in a hidden manner; second, that his presence has only BEGUN and is not yet full and complete, that it is in a state of development, of becoming and progressing toward its full form.  His presence has already begun, and we, the faithful, are the ones through whom he wishes to be present in this world.  Through our faith, hope, and love, he wants his light to shine over and over again in the night of the world…that night is “Today” whenever the “Word” again becomes “flesh” or genuine human reality.   The major statement he makes is: “The Christ child comes” in a real sense whenever human beings act out of authentic love for the Lord.’’

May this Advent of 2025 be a blessed and holy one for you and your family.  Know that the monks will be praying for you.

f. Abbot Sharbel Ewen, O.S.B.
Prince of Peace Abbey