Second Saturday in Advent - December 15th
Sir 48: 1-4, 9-11 / Ps 80: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19 / Mt 17: 10-13
"The Christmas season can be very distracting. It is easy to get caught up in the din of carols, department store sales, and festivities, but it is difficult to challenge the hectic holiday culture. Advent is a time to reflect on how we are called to open our eyes and prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus. Just as Elijah came to prepare the way of the Lord and bring to light the problems of his time, we too are called to think critically about how we currently treat the Christmas season and to do what we can to have a more reflective and thoughtful Advent. Even outside of the Advent season, we are called to think carefully about the world and what we can do to make it a more peaceful and loving place. It is difficult to bring about change. It is easy to get disillusioned or frustrated. But we can find the strength to continue in the example of the prophets and the sacrifices they made to prepare for the coming of the Lord. And we can also find inspiration in the fact that many times the people did not recognize the truth in the prophet’s message. In our time I believe we will see great changes in the world, and in this university there are people who will go on to influence such changes. During this Advent season, I hope that we can all find the strength to influence positive change, as well as to open our minds and hearts to see and support the change that has already begun."
Michelle Velez
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Class of 2014
