Second Sunday of Advent (Year C) - 8 December 2024
8th December 2024
“To him who still remains in this world there is no repentance that is too late.” - St Cyprian
A reflection on the theme of today's Gospel by the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J Sheen:
"Sinners, too, want God. That is to say, conscious sinners. One need hardly ever tell such a sinner how wicked he is. He knows it a thousand times better than you. His conscience has pointed an accusing finger at him in his sleep; his fears have emblazoned his sins on his mind; his neurosis, anxieties, and unhappiness have been like trumpets of his inner death.
"This consciousness of sin is not yet conversion, for up to this point a soul may be repenting like Judas, only to itself. One can be mad at oneself for playing the fool, or be ashamed at one’s misdeeds, or be sad at being discovered, but there is no true repentance without turning to God. The consciousness of sin creates a vacuum; grace alone can fill it.
"You say: ‘I am a sinner. I will not be heard.’ If God will not hear a sinner, why did He praise the publican in the rear of the Temple, who struck his breast saying: ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner’ (Luke 18:13)? There were two sinners on Calvary on either side of Our Lord. One was saved because he asked to be saved. Did not our Divine Saviour say: ‘Come to Me, all you that labour and are burdened’ (Matthew 11:28) – and who is more heavily burdened than a sinner? Unlike all other religions, Christianity starts with the sinner. In a certain sense, it begins with human hopelessness. You have to be good to enter most other religions; you become a Christian on the assumption that you are not good.
"God will find you, if your will does not refuse to be found. Hence, avoid those selfish and petty acts which may deaden and stunt you in the one great moment when surrender to the Divine Will can bring peace. In that case we become like the cobbler of Charles Dickens. For years he had been a prisoner in the Bastille, where he cobbled shoes. He became so enamoured of the walls, the darkness, and the task’s monotony that when he was liberated, he built a cell at the centre of his English home. On days when skies were clear and birds were singing, the taps of the cobbler in the dark could still be heard. So men by habitual residence in imprisoning moods render themselves incapable of living in wider horizons, the great hopes and faith of religion.
"Stunt not your spiritual life by looking for faults. You do not say Shakespeare cannot write because you heard a poor actor butcher the soliloquy of Hamlet; you do not reject the beauty of music because you hear an occasional moaner or groaner on the radio; you do not disbelieve in medicine because your doctor has a cold.
"Give God a chance. The prolongation of His Incarnate Life in the Church is an offer, not a demand. It is a gift, not a bargain. You can never deserve it, but you can receive it. God is on the quest of your soul. Whether you will know peace depends on your own will."
(Seven Words of Jesus and Mary)
Faith Candle
The second candle of Advent represents Faith and is called “Bethlehem’s Candle” for it symbolises the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. Micah had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, which is also the birthplace of King David. The candle is also purple to symbolise our preparation for the coming king.
Prayer for the Second Week of Advent
Lord, our Father, give us the strength to purify ourselves in anticipation of the coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May we find the strength within ourselves to seek You in prayer, to reconcile ourselves to You through fasting and confession. Let it be done according to Thy will. Amen. 💐💖🙏