The Fourth Sunday of Advent
The Fourth candle
The fourth candle of the Advent Wreath is the candle of love. The greatest act of love committed by God was giving his Son as a sacrifice for atonement for our sins. With His death, He ushered in the New Covenant between God and man. Like Abraham being told to sacrifice his only son, Issac, God showed he was willing to do the same. Jesus was not spared as Issac was. Even when Jesus begged God to find another way, He was still sacrificed for us (Mark 14:34-36). For us, we are so small, how can God sacrifice Himself for us? We are not worthy, yet He loves us so much that God sacrificed His Son and died on the cross for us.
With Jesus’ death, the gift of His birth is completed. Jesus was born to be a pure victim worthy to be sacrificed for all of humanity. As we sing at Mass, He is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” The sacrifice of the Mass is a re-presentation of His sacrifice on the cross. Attending Mass cleanses us of venial sins (CCC 1436).
The Last Things
Hell, or the Lake of Fire as my mother always calls it, is the final thing we ponder this Advent Season, and what is awaiting those of us who are found in a state of mortal sin when Jesus comes again or at our particular judgment. The absence of God’s grace is hell (2 Thes 1:9). He respects our wishes, and we are not forced to stay in His glory. In Isaiah 6:5-7, Isaiah is in torment in the presence of God because of his sin. His torment continues until an angel burns away the source of his sin with a hot coal from the altar in heaven. That is the reality for those who long to be in the presence of God. I could not imagine what those who are not in a state of grace would experience at the foot of God.
This week we are resting anticipating Christmas and baking lots of cookies. We’re making sure to set some aside for Father.