On the First Sunday of Advent Pope Benedict XVI said: “We could say that man is alive so long as he expects, so long as hope remains alive his heart. And man can be recognized by his expectations: our moral and spiritual ‘stature’ may be measured by what our hopes are”.
It is vital to seek to convey in our catechesis what we should be hoping for as we live Advent. Do our students “recognize” the following in us:
~ A hope for Heaven
~ A hope to imitate Christ more and living less for self ~ A hope for the good in our neighbor
~ A hope for others to encounter Christ and discover His abundant life
~ A hope for Jesus to be the reason for the Season and not what we can attain through gifts or the number of invitations we receive this time of year. ~ A hope for a deeper union with God.
Pope Benedict XVI continues: Thus, “in this time of preparation for Christmas each of us may ask ourselves: what do I expect? …”
The people of Israel expected a Messiah who would bring joy, free captives, heal what was broken, prosperity to the less fortunate and hope to all those in the Kingdom.
Help your students have a desire to expect the spiritual and that which is other centered:
~ The presence of God ~ The joy of serving others ~ The wonder found in sharing God’s life with others ~ Giving from a heart filled with love
What we all really want is to encounter the love and joy of God’s abundant life. This abundance began 2,000 years ago when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
What else would you as catechists say to the question – What do I expect as I prepare this Advent for the Solemnity of Christmas?
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