Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd.”
There was a synod on evangelization in 1974. In the document preparatory to the synod, evangelization was defined as “bringing people to the mystery of Christ.”
The Advent Season reminds us of three comings of Christ: in history, in mystery, and at the end of time. His coming in mystery is what we celebrate and live out of in the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. St. John Paul II explained it with reference to St. John’s Gospel: “This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (Jn 17:3). The ultimate purpose of mission is to enable people to share in the communion which exists between the Father and the Son. The disciples are to live in unity with one another, remaining in the Father and the Son, so that the world may know and believe (see Jn 17:21-23).”
Coming to the ‘mystery of Christ’ is not some ‘happy’ togetherness. It is the profound mercy for us human beings that we are brought into communion with Christ and his Father. He sacrificed his life because of this—that we might come to God and live this life among others. In the face of a culture of rampant individualism, each Holy Eucharist gives us the mystery of Christ – a mystery of communion and divine pity.
Reflection by Fr. Xavier Nacke, OSB
Posted in Articles for Advent, Daily Reflections