Sadly, due to the secularization of society, many believe that Christmas begins and ends on December 25th. The Catholic Feast of Christmas is so great that the entire Advent season exists to prepare us for the Birth of the Savior. In the hustle and bustle of today, how many reflect on what that means. How many birthdays of notable men merit weeks of preparation?
Advent when reflected upon properly, helps us to prepare for the magnificent event that occurred 2008 years ago, the Incarnation.
Without the Incarnation, our salvation would be impossible, for without the Incarnation, the eternal sacrifice of Calvary would not have taken place, nor would the establishment by Christ, of the Holy Roman Catholic Church have taken place.
Without the Church, the merits of Our Lord's Incarnation would not have benefited us. It is through the Holy Catholic Church that the merits of Our Lord's Incarnation, Passion and Resurrection benefit mankind.
The Church was established by Our Lord to be the distributor of the merits of Our Lord through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the seven Sacraments.
Human nature is such, that even immeasurable goods from which we benefit, such as the Incarnation, the Redemption, and the Church can become so routine, that we can neglect to really reflect upon the true weight of those gifts. Advent is meant to help prepare us to develop a profound understanding of the great supernatural mysteries that take place on Christmas, as well as to give thanks for the corresponding benefit to us as a result of these mysteries.
So, as we adore, pray, and reflect during this season of Christmas, it is good also to reflect upon the immense role of the Church and to thank the Holy Infant for its establishment. As we venerate the Infant Jesus, Our Lady and St. Joseph, let us also venerate the Holy Catholic Church against which the gates of hell will not prevail.
No comments:
Post a Comment