Advent Day of Recollection
by Msgr. Robert Nusca, President
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." (Isaiah 9.2)
On November 29, our President, Msgr. A. Robert Nusca, presented to Priests and Deacons of the Diocese of St. Catharines at their annual Advent Day of Recollection at Mt. Carmel Spiritual Centre, Niagara Falls.
Below is a summary of his message of Advent - Hope and Joy.
We live in what is, in many ways, an age of fear, an age of uncertainty, an age marked by "wars and rumors of wars." (Matt. 24:6) Despite the technological advances of the age, many signs speak to us of a profound emptiness at the heart of our postmodern culture. Amid the many challenges that we face, one of the dangers is that people may give in to a spirit of hopelessness.
But during this season of Advent, our faith gives us a great reason to renew our hope and trust in God. Certainly, the Saints are living examples to us of how to hope with great confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit--amid the most difficult of life's circumstances. As the prophet Isaiah writes, "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar upon eagles' wings; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint." (Isa. 40:31)
Hope is one of the three theological virtues (along with Faith and Charity). The primary object of our Hope is God and His everlasting Kingdom. God promises "to make all things new," (Rev 21:5) and so, during this season of Advent, let us strive to live our faith authentically, deeply, in all of its dimensions, as we draw ever closer to the God of love, mercy, and peace revealed by Jesus Christ.
In addition to hope, a spirit of joy marks the season of Advent. One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, joy arises from a genuine spiritual equilibrium and a centredness upon God. Ultimately, joy is not the result of our own doing, but is one of the "perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1832)
When we meditate upon sacred scripture, we see that even in the midst of difficult circumstances, great joy is expressed in the prophets around God's promise to renew all of creation.
And so, like the Magi, who followed the star that led them to Bethlehem, let us focus our sights upon Jesus Christ, the Morning Star (Rev. 22:16), as we prepare joyfully for His arrival at Christmas and as we strive to bring the Good News of salvation to those around us during these challenging times.
During this season of Advent, let us pray for the grace to experience a genuine spiritual renewal as we prepare joyfully to welcome the Christ Child this Christmas. And let us pray that through a renewed life of prayer and an awareness of our need for ongoing conversion, God may strengthen our hope in His power to renew all things in Christ.
“But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:
to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
Visit Msgr. Nusca's website: revelationtwentyonefive.com, where you will find Book of Revelation-inspired blogs, biblical reflections and podcasts. Msgr. Nusca is a regular celebrant on the Daily TV Mass, which is also posted on YouTube. He is the author of The Christ of the Apocalypse: Contemplating the Faces of Jesus in the Book of Revelation, stpaulcenter.com/product/the-christ-of-the-apocalypse-contemplating-the-face-of-jesus-in-the-book-of-revelation