R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us, Lord, your love;
and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The Advent Season is one of the most important seasons of the Church’s Liturgical Year. This sacred season celebrates fully the coming of Christ into the world as the world’s Savior. It celebrates His historical birth and entry into our world as Jesus, the Son of God in the humble stable in Bethlehem over two-thousand years ago. But I often think that the word “Christ” goes beyond the Catholic Liturgical realm.

The word “Christ” has entered into our world’s culture, even among those in our world culture who have not embraced Jesus as the very Savior of the world, born in Bethlehem. It is similar to the way Black Friday, a day which fills retail stores throughout the whole world, is recognizable to both Christian and non-Christian alike.

But back to the Church’s Liturgy … On this First Sunday of Advent, we begin our observance in Faith of the first Coming of Christ.  As believers, we also in Faith look forward to the second Coming of Christ when this world as we know it will come to an end. He will come in His power and His glory which means the fullness of the Kingdom of Heaven. And at this Second Coming there will be a perfect union of believers with God forever and ever.

I really believe that we have to look at where we are at now – not merely the first Coming of Christ in Christmas, which in itself is beautiful, or merely looking towards the second Coming of Christ that will be beyond all of our imaginings.

I think there is still yet another Advent – I call it the Advent of Everyday Life. This season is a time for us to look at what we’re like right now – to allow the Lord Jesus, our Savior to renew our lives right now in this everyday Advent season, day after day through prayer, penance, and in sharing our blessings with others – to recognize how we have failed and to help us assess ways in which we can do better.

Remember … Christ could be born a thousand times in Bethlehem, but all is vain until He is born in you and me. Today’s Scripture readings invite us to make the necessary alterations in our thoughts, our words, our deeds, our sinfulness, and our omissions in light of approaching the Christmas celebration. We must renew ourselves amid the tragedies and amid the setbacks of life, and change – remembering that the Lord is coming again.

Have a genuine reverence for Christ coming on Christmas, and a genuine reverence in Faith, as we recall in our shared words at each Mass – “For the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory are Yours, now and forever.”  We look forward to when He shall come again. And most of all, we make a true evaluation of our life in the Advent of Everyday.

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor & Rector, Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Saint Anthony Parish

The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot ;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.
In those days Judah shall be safe
and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;
this is what they shall call her:
“The LORD our justice.”

R. (1b)  To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior,
and for you I wait all the day.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and teaches the humble his way.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,
and his covenant, for their instruction.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

Brothers and sisters:
May the Lord make you increase and abound in love
for one another and for all,
just as we have for you,
so as to strengthen your hearts,
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.  Amen.

Finally, brothers and sisters,
we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that,
as you received from us
how you should conduct yourselves to please God
and as you are conducting yourselves
you do so even more.
For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.