Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Homily for Tuesday, Week 1 of Advent

Homily for Tuesday
Week 1 of Advent

Nov. 29, 2022
Collect
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph Residence, New Rochelle

Today’s Collect petitions the Lord God to grant us his compassionate help.  We acknowledge our need because on our own we’re not able to avoid sin or sin’s penalties.  We need his compassion because our former ways taint us.

A sinful woman experiences Jesus' compassion
(Stained glass, St. Catharine Church, Spring Lake, N.J.)

Our former ways might have changed for the better long ago when we made a firm decision for Christ.  Our former ways might have been as recent as yesterday or even this morning when we grew impatient or were careless about our prayers.

We pray also for consolation.  The presence of the Son of God should console us.  That’s why we await his coming—not at Bethlehem, for that’s already happened, but his coming in grace, in power, to save us now out of his compassion in spite of our weaknesses in the face of trials and temptations.

Come, Lord Jesus!  Come and save us!

No comments: