Memorial of St. Nicholas, Bishop
Advent is a season of hope and hope is expressed so beautifully in the poetic First Reading. In the future the world as we know it will be no more; violence will be done away with, peace will prevail.
People of all conditions, from every nation will gather to enjoy the feast “of juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines” reminiscent of a Passover meal.
The Lord himself will prepare it, especially for “the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute and many others” mentioned in the Gospel.
The Lord will do away with veils of mourning because death will be destroyed forever. There will be no more sadness or pain. He will be God for all; all will be his people. All be able to say: “The world of the past has gone” (Rev. 21:4).
Whenever I think of the great feast I think of the Eucharist. Like the Passover, it too is a memorial, the memorial of the Last Supper. It is also the communion of unity with the Trinity and Mystical Body of Christ.
In the Eucharist, the past, the present and the future are united. It is the essence of hope. I resolve, if it is possible, to spend more time before the Holy Eucharist this Advent.