The Second Week of Advent
The second candle
Also called the Bethlehem Candle, the second candle in the wreath draws to mind the peace in Mary and Joseph’s lives once they arrive in Bethlehem in time for Christ's birth. This Candle represents peace and preparation for the coming of Christ. After travelling for multiple days and over 100 kilometres while heavily pregnant, what peace washed over her when they made it to town in time for her to deliver Jesus?
Jesus dwelt in Mary's womb for 9 months. Being knit together cell by cell, Mary anticipated His coming. The witness of John the Baptist while still in his mother's womb, anticipating Jesus' coming. They knew He would arrive soon. Mary may not have known the day (like many of us mothers, she may have grown impatient near the end), but His birth was imminent. Jesus came to us in this way, taking His time with all the intricacies of human biology. Coming to us as a little baby, He gave Mary and Joseph time to prepare, and still in the last moment, they welcomed Him in a stable.
the last things
The second week of Advent, we reflect on Judgment when we encounter God and are held to account for our sins, initially, at death with Particular Judgement, and at the Second Coming with Last Judgment.
After death, our souls will encounter Christ and be assigned to the reward of heaven or be condemned to damnation; this is personal judgment or Particular Judgment. To enter heaven, we may need to go through purification or “purgatory,” meaning to make clean. Purgatory is not a second chance; rather, it is the purification of the soul before God in the throne room in heaven (Is. 6:5-7). It is necessary to be purified when you enter heaven because all our sins will be brought forward, and we will need to atone for those sins (Heb. 10:14). Like Moses needing to remove his sandals in the presence of God, those things which offend God must be removed to remain in His presence, “for our God is a consuming fire.” St. Pope John Paul II said, “Purgatory is not a place but a condition of existence.”
Last Judgment comes after the Second Coming, those who are alive on earth will meet Jesus in the sky (1 Thes. 4:17). Those who have already died will be resurrected and join them (John 5:28-29, 1 Cor. 15:42). Everything we have done will be made known, the good, the bad and all the reporcussions of those actions will be revealed. Those who were destined for heaven and hell from their particular judgment will proceed. Those who were alive at the second coming will be sent to their final resting place (Dan. 12:2). The Last Judgment will not give second chances to those who have already been judged; rather, at the final judgment, the fullness of existence will be made known to us (1 Cor. 13:12, CCC. 1040).
This week, I’m heading to Mass on Monday for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is not a Holy Day of Obligation in Canada, but I enjoy attending weekday Mass when it is offered in the evening. Contrary to what many non-Catholics believe, the Immaculate Conception is not when Mary became pregnant with Jesus (The Incarnation), but when Mary’s mother became pregnant with her.
For a craft this week, I will be making paper crowns on the 13th for St. Lucy’s Day. Using paper, I will cut out a long strip that fits around my daughter’s head and seven candle shapes. Tradition states that St. Lucy crafted herself a crown with seven candles to light her way in the dark winter as she delivered food to the persecuted Christians in the catacombs.