What comes to mind when you think of Advent?

  A wreath, the pre-Christmas rush, cooling off, Christmas advertising… St. Charles Borromeo said this about Advent: “Beloved, this period is so glorious and solemn that the Holy Spirit speaks of it: ‘The time of grace, the day of salvation, peace, and reconciliation.'” It is a time for which the ancient patriarchs and prophets prayed and sighed persistently, a time that the righteous Simeon saw with great joy, and which the Church still solemnly experiences… The Church celebrates this mystery every year, reminding us of God’s extravagant love for us. It also teaches us that Christ’s coming benefited not only those who lived at that time, but that we all share in his power to this day, provided we are willing to receive the grace he merited for us through holy faith and the sacraments, submit obediently to its influence, and lead a moral life. What does today’s Word of God say about us? At His first coming, the Lord said: ‘I will come and heal him.’ Do we need healing? Perhaps we will ask ourselves: ‘Others need it.’ But me?! This is where it breaks down; the need for Advent is revealed. Jesus came for those who required healing. The centurion did not consider himself worthy. Such an attitude is not an obstacle if a person realizes it. Jesus did not heal the Pharisees, who thought they were perfect and despised the centurion. Recognizing the need for healing is probably the most important thing. How can such an outcome be achieved? Do you know? A tourist approaches a hermit and asks him the meaning of his life in solitude. The hermit is currently drawing water from a well. The hermit tells the tourist to look into the water. ‘I see nothing,’ says the tourist, ‘only the rippled surface.’ The hermit carries the water away, then tells the tourist to look into it again. This time, he saw himself. Advent: we are overwhelmed by many duties and haste. It is probably necessary to fight for peace and time for ourselves.