Monday, December 5, 2011

2011 Advent - A Real Need to Reflect

It's been months since I last posted.  Life has been a world wind to say the least!  During this Season of Advent its time to step back and reflect on my life, my struggles, my accomplishments, my faith, and my hopes.  In this time of watch staying "alert" for not only the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ but his Second Comind is an important stepping stone on my own spiritual journey!

It's time for me to be bored!  Yes, bored out of my mind!  With the hustle and bustle of christmas shopping, home decorating, end of the year charitable giving, and social parties how important to take time away in prayerful meditation to reflect on the true reason for the season.  The secular materialistic world we live in makes it way too easy to forget Advent and Christmas is a tribute and celebration of Jesus.  Not Santa Claus or his elves!  Not expensive toys!  Not Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales!

What would our world be like without Jesus?  What if he was never born?  What if he never existed? Can you imagine no Christmas?  Its sad for me to think secularism influences the faithful into forgetting the true meaning of the Advent season.

How am I experiencing Advent in a more spiritual way?  I'm regularly examining my conscience and doing penance.  I'm attending Holy Mass on both Saturday night and Sunday mornings even when I'm only obligated to one Mass! I'm volunteering as a lay liturgical minister on my out of normal routine.  Moreover, I'm trying to be more patient, kind, enduring, and conscientious of my faith community.  Its tough to get out of myself and my own personal struggles!

I thank God everyday for the blessings in my life. I'm anxiously awaiting for the celebration of his holy birth!  A little boredom isn't bad every now and then, especially when I know Our Lord Savior is coming!

-J.

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