Advent-A Time of Waiting
Today, November 29th, we begin the Season of Advent leading up to our celebration of Christmas--commemorating the birth of Jesus. In our Catholic churches, and in some homes, we have Advent wreaths and the churches are adorned in purple and the "Gloria"
is normally omitted from the liturgy. Yet, many of us go on our daily lives, other than decorating, partying and shopping, with little preparation for Christmas.
I'd like to note that if you were an Orthodox or Eastern Rite Catholic Christian, this would not be the case. No, if you were either Orthodox or Eastern rite Catholic you would be practicing a period of penance or sacrifice similar to what Latin (Roman) rite Catholics practice during Lent leading to Easter.
Wouldn't it be a good idea if we implemented a voluntary practice similar to our Eastern brethern. Maybe some small sacrifice like attending Mass during the week, eating smaller portions when not partying and accumulating the money saved for a needy cause/person, reflecting daily during Advent on the first two chapters of the Gospel of St. Luke and the Old Testament prophets, praying for someone you know in need, praying and reflecting on the five joyful mysteries of the rosary each day or practicing the virtue of patience; and the one I like to do, daily praying for the unity of the Orthodox and Catholic Church. This latter is of special concern to me as I reflect on the late Pope John Paul II who sought unity so that "...the Church could breath with both lungs".
For you who have access to Catholic radio, I hope you have the opportunity to listen to the weekly "Light of the East" program produced by Annunciation of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church in Homer Glen, Illinois and hosted by Father Thomas J. Loya; once you have, I believe you'll come to realize the beauty the Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic Church has to offer us. If you can't listen on a local radio station, you may visit the church's beautiful web site and stream past radio shows at www.byzantinecatholic.com.
is normally omitted from the liturgy. Yet, many of us go on our daily lives, other than decorating, partying and shopping, with little preparation for Christmas.
I'd like to note that if you were an Orthodox or Eastern Rite Catholic Christian, this would not be the case. No, if you were either Orthodox or Eastern rite Catholic you would be practicing a period of penance or sacrifice similar to what Latin (Roman) rite Catholics practice during Lent leading to Easter.
Wouldn't it be a good idea if we implemented a voluntary practice similar to our Eastern brethern. Maybe some small sacrifice like attending Mass during the week, eating smaller portions when not partying and accumulating the money saved for a needy cause/person, reflecting daily during Advent on the first two chapters of the Gospel of St. Luke and the Old Testament prophets, praying for someone you know in need, praying and reflecting on the five joyful mysteries of the rosary each day or practicing the virtue of patience; and the one I like to do, daily praying for the unity of the Orthodox and Catholic Church. This latter is of special concern to me as I reflect on the late Pope John Paul II who sought unity so that "...the Church could breath with both lungs".
For you who have access to Catholic radio, I hope you have the opportunity to listen to the weekly "Light of the East" program produced by Annunciation of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church in Homer Glen, Illinois and hosted by Father Thomas J. Loya; once you have, I believe you'll come to realize the beauty the Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic Church has to offer us. If you can't listen on a local radio station, you may visit the church's beautiful web site and stream past radio shows at www.byzantinecatholic.com.
Labels: Living The Faith
posted by Paul Amrhein | 3:03 PM
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