This blurb was in my Parish newsletter over the weekend and is from Nick Brodie. I thought I would share it with you:

Pope Francis has characterised Advent as 'a continuous call to hope; it reminds us that God is present in history." Every year we prepare for Christ's final return by preparing to celebrate his birth, all while reminding ourselves that he is already present. This season is therefore a time in which every Christian is called 'to listen to the Lord who knocks', as the Pope put it. Jesus is knocking already; it is we who need to wake from our slumber and spring into action.

The Church isn't a waiting room - we need to do more than sit and wait. While Advent is a season of expectation, it is also an annual reminder that the Christian adventure is already underway! This is what being 'on guard' really means. It is not a negative sort of guardedness, closed off from the world. Rather, the gist of Jesus' message is about readiness, preparedness and awareness. As Pope Francis says, this means we should strive to avoid being 'overwhelmed by distraction or superficiality'.

Taken from Nick Brodie

At Mass, last weekend, the first (of four) candle of the Advent wreath was lit. This candle is known as the Prophet’s Candle reminding us that Jesus is coming. The virtue of HOPE is at the centre of this week.