Dear brothers and sisters!
Advent is a time of waiting for Christ. Soon we will celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, and at the same time we wait for his return at the end of the ages. But we can also think that actually, during Advent, Christ is waiting for us!
Advent is a time of conversion. It is also a time of repentance. We are certain, waiting for the birth of Jesus , that Jesus will come to us, but will we go to Him. This is what I would like to dwell on a little in my Advent reflection.
Advent has always been about peace. In the Middle Ages, people even avoided going to war during Advent. Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and is also a sign of the kingdom of Christ. Today we all pray for peace in Ukraine, but actually the peace of the world begins with us, in our homes and in the hearts of people. Are we already prepared for the confession which is our first source of peace and which is especially important in the Advent season? Are we the peacemakers around us, of whom Jesus said that they are called children of God Matthew 5:9 ? Are we trying to live in such a way that home would be like Jesus' home in Bethlehem or in Nazareth ?
This time is about repentance, as is Lent, and that is why many people fast, give up eating meat or make small sacrifices to God. It is paradoxical that we, along with society as a whole, tend to think more about shopping, gifts and consumption at this time. We must not forget that we can, of course, express our love and friendship to our loved ones through material things, like the Wise Men who brought gold, frankincense and myrrh as gifts to Jesus, and their example has inspired the beautiful custom of Christmas presents, but at the same time we must not not forget that Jesus was born in utter poverty and in solitude. How do we bring before the Lord the small renunciations of food, drink, comfort and whimsy, for example, at family, company or other institutions' Christmas parties or end-of-year celebrations, where the word moderation is quite unknown or completely forgotten. But let's remember that our best renunciations are the ones that make the lives of our loved ones easier and more joyful, because joy, like peace, is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit and a sign of Christ's kingdom. Can we give up our egoism that makes us see things only from our own perspective? The plates may not fly in our homes, but the words may fly that disturb or wound a neighbour. In the words of Pope Francis, let us not let the day end before we are reconciled to each other, otherwise when we wake up the next day there will still be a heavy burden in our hearts. These words of the Pope are not only meant for married couples, but for all relationships: with friends, with colleagues, with teammates, etc. Would not this Advent season be the right time to give up our pride and arrogance and ask forgiveness of those from whom we should ask forgiveness, or forgive those who ask it of us?
And finally, the Bible tells us: "hilarem datorem diligit dominus (God loves a cheerful giver)". In this times of crisis and war, life can be particularly hard for many: especially the elderly, the poor or the frail. But the one who helps with joy is especially loved by God. Is each one of us such a "cheerful giver" ? If we can give our time, our money, our love to those who need it, let us be certain that God will always love and bless us.
I wish you all a beautiful Advent and joyful Christmas holidays. May the coming year, with God's help, give us the peace that the world so desperately needs, a just and lasting peace. And with it, may we feel the joy of being more God's children than before. We ask this through the intercession of the Servant of God Archbishop Eduard Profittlich SJ, whose beatification, as you know, is not very far off. The Archbishop's burning love for Christ led him to the greatest love of all: to lay down his life for his friends and for the Estonian Catholic Church. Let us be eternally grateful to him for this and let us learn from him.
Bishop Philippe Jourdan
Tallinn, 6 December 2022.
Saint Nicholas' Day