Take a moment in this busy season to reflect upon its inner meaning.
I yearn that we might recover our Catholic tradition quietly waiting and preparing
during the four-weeks of Advent for the coming of Christ into our lives.
For we who are Christians we await, Jesus, Yeshua, the Messiah , who is for us the Light of the World.
We prepare a place for him to shine in our own hearts this day.
We invite you to search out your own inner meaning whatever that might be.
On Sunday, the 21st, Hanukah begins. We honor our Jewish brothers and sisters with these words
that come down to us from the ancient texts of our liturgy just before Christmas, one of the magnificent O Antiphons:
O Adonai and Ruler of the House of Israel,
you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush
and on Mount Sinai gave him your law.
Come, and with outstretched arm redeem us.
O Adonai, we need you in our world more than ever.
You appeared in the burning bush long ago.
I caught you one morning searing Your way into these clouds over the ocean at St. Augustine Beach.
Come with Your refiner’s fire and burn Your way into our hearts.
so that we can prepare the way for the Messiah to come into our homes, our workplace, our neighborhoods
and help us transform our nation into our beloved country once again.
One is reminded of the old adage: “Red at night is a sailor’s delight. Red in the morning, sailor’s take warning. O America, heed the time of your visitation!
Bob Traupman
priest / writer
Father Bob's Reflections 