Second Sunday of Advent

Advent is a season of joyful hope. St Paul tells us that “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” Elizabeth and Zechariah hoped for a child, but feared they were too old. An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, and hope was renewed. Simeon and Anna were two older people who lived in hope that they would see the Messiah; they did. The love of Mary and Joseph, a young engaged couple whose hope sustains them through some early, significant challenges offers all families a glimpse of what it means to be a Holy Family.

Throughout Advent, make a commitment to attend Mass and listen to the words of hope in the scriptures. Meditate on hope; let the Resurrection become the source of your hope. Listen to the words of Saint Augustine: “‘Resurrectio Domini spes nostra – the Lord’s resurrection is our hope.”