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(Archived 12/22/2002)
Dear Parishioners,
This Sunday of Advent is always devoted to the Christian mystery as perceived in the vision of Mary, from Mary, from the people of Bethlehem, from the people of the Church, will come forth the Christ, the gift of rescue for the world, the one who “shall be peace.” From the womb of the community Christ is born into the world. This Fourth Sunday of Advent is always a feast that looks to the apostolic mission of the Church, of which Mary is the image and figure. Just as God made Christ alive in the womb and person of Mary so that she could bring Him to the world, so does God make Christ alive in us. Our mission finds its’ model in Mary who has gone before us bearing Christ as gift to the world. By Christ’s sacrifice, “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all,” the world is sanctified, “for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth.” Mary is the first apostle, and inspiration to us!
And so we are Gods’ virgin! God is doing in and through us only that which God can do! There is the holy, and redeemed, and untouched by human willfulness part in all of us. This part is Gods’ precious presence and possession of us and we have sought throughout Advent to rediscover it. I pray that through your increased awareness, wakefulness, attentiveness, stillness – the cornerstones of an Advent spirituality – you have become more in tune with the mystery-life of God in your own being, in the womb of St Bridget community, and in the world.
A Blessed Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord to all!
Lumen Christi,
Fr. Scott