Maranatha

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

We have entered the second week of Advent. Even though we are preparing to celebrate Christmas we are looking forward for the second coming of Jesus as he promised, before he ascended into heaven.

(1 Corinthians 16:1-24) - If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed, Maranatha.

Marana tha: an Aramaic expression, probably used in the early Christian liturgy. As understood here (“O Lord, come!”), it is a prayer for the early return of Christ. If the Aramaic words are divided differently (Maran atha, “Our Lord has come”). Indeed, Christ came and dwelt among men. But the word also had other meanings in the early church. It served as a reminder that Jesus is coming again.

Throughout the New Testament the second coming of Christ is a major theme and comforting expectation of the church. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18) - The Lord who came will come again. This was the hope of the apostolic church, a blessed hope which we share today. Even after all these years of praying for the return of the Lord why didn’t he come?

St. Peter in his letter today gives us the answer. - The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard "delay," but he is patient with you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3 / 9).

The main themes of this week’s readings are repentance, forgiveness and comfort. More than any external preparations let us prepare ourselves internally to receive Jesus. One of the best ways of internal preparation is the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

On Thursday - December 14 at 6:30 p.m. we have the Advent Reconciliation Service at our Church. We also have confessions on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday as usual. Let us receive the forgiveness of God with a good examination of conscience, genuine repentance, and sincere confession. Have a blessed Advent Season and a Merry Christmas.

God bless you all,

Fr. John Samuel