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Advent - The Liturgy of the Season |
The liturgy of this season is arranged around the three great Advent figures: Isaiah, St. John the Baptist, and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Isaiah is the great Advent prophet. He calls on the people to trust in God alone and await the salvation of the Messiah which is to come. After a time of harsh exile, the Messiah will save His people, the remnant of Israel, and will cause peace to reign over the world and will spread abroad knowledge of the True God among all nations.
John the Baptist, the last of the prophets and the first witness to the first coming of the Messiah, shows Christ to us and earnestly calls on us to go out to meet Him. John's message is one of penance and personal conversion and amendment of life.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Savior’s Mother, in whom the mystery of grace is accomplished with unequaled fullness before it is extended to the rest of mankind. By her faith and acceptance of God's plans for her, she personifies the Church's expectancy and welcome of Christ.
Listen to the urgent appeals of the great prophet, the Precursor's timely exhortations, and the Blessed Virgin Mary's plea, "Love God! Love God!" May these inspire us to fervent prayer, penances, and loving study of God's Word to us in Sacred Scripture - especially the word's of Isaiah and John the Baptist. Let us make them known and loved and lived in the sanctuary of our homes this Advent and all year through.
