Confession is part of Advent's preparation

By Tim Trainor

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120520.cfm
Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26
Matthew 9:35-10:8

Advent derives from the Latin word meaning "coming." Jesus is coming. Advent is intended to be a season of preparation for His arrival. The season on Advent covers the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. While we typically regard Advent as a joyous season, it is also intended to be a period of preparation, much like Lent. Prayer, penance and some fasting are appropriate during this season.

Advent is not as strict as Lent, and there are no rules for fasting, but it is meant to be a period of self-preparation.

The color purple is the first of two colors associated with Advent. It is also the color of penance. Faithful Catholics should consider some fasting particularly during the first two weeks and should also consider receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Our Lady of the Woods, Thursday, Dec 10th, will hold an Advent Reconciliation Service at 6:00 pm. Multiple priests will be present to hear confessions.

The second color of Advent, rose, is introduced on the Third Sunday of Advent. This 2nd color on Advent symbolizes joy and represents the happiness we will experience when Jesus comes again. The Third Sunday is therefore a day of anticipatory celebration. It is formerly called "Gaudete" [GOW-det-ta] Sunday; gaudete means "rejoice" in Latin.

Two things that jump out to me in our Gospel Reading for this week. First is, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”Jesus has changed metaphors on us here. He begins this reading carrying forward a metaphor of sheep. But, now, he shifts to harvest. 

These two metaphors show two sides of the matter: The sheep and the shepherd show man’s needs being met by God. The good shepherd seeks out lost sheep and ministers to them. The harvest and the workers metaphor show God’s “need” being met by man. God uses saved people to save other people.

Jesus’ viewpoint is that of a farmer who has a great crop ready for harvest, but he doesn’t have enough reapers. It’s an interesting picture, isn’t it? On the one hand, the Lord will accomplish all of His purpose, which includes the salvation of His elect (Eph. 1:3-11). And yet, at the same time, He has chosen to save lost people through those whom He has already saved. He could have used angels, who probably would have been much more competent at the task than we are. But He chose to use us. So, the plentiful harvest means that there is a need for more workers.

Here’s the kicker. If you are one of Jesus’ sheep, He wants you to see yourself as a worker in His harvest. Thus it is not by accident that the very next thing in Matthew’s gospel is for Jesus to summon the twelve and appoint them to ministry. Up to this point, Jesus has done all of the ministry Himself while the disciples have watched. But now He gets the disciples involved.

The second line that jumped out to me was: “… so, ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” If God sees this lack of manpower, why can’t He address it without our asking Him to do something about it? And why can’t we simply go forth as laborers directly?

All that we have comes from God, and we can do nothing without him, but this does not mean that we have nothing, or can do nothing.

On the contrary, could it be that God is glorified when His works are made manifest in us, indeed through our own free activity. In fact, God’s initiative actually enlivens the human nature He has endowed us with—a nature that is free to understand and choose the good.

So – why do you think that Jesus says that WE should ask God to send out laborers for His harvest? Are there “laborers” that we ourselves should become? Could it be that it is because our prayers, too, are part of the way God’s saving purposes are brought about in our world?

I think that it is sort of like a small child asking his parents for something they already want to give him. I believe that God, my Father, enjoys it very much when I ask for something He already has desired to give me; or, plans on “trading-me-up” for something much better.

Throughout our lives, we pray and work with all the energy we can to attain this abundant harvest spoken of in the Gospel, but our trust must be in Him, not ourselves. This should be a thought that brings us profound peace whenever we face a new daunting yet thrilling task of pursuing perfection as we are called by God to do.

So -  What new daunting - yet thrilling task of pursuing perfection do I have in mind for myself during Advent you ask. Well, going to confession.

Yes, it’s easier for me to show up with Danny & Berry on Saturday and split & stack wood or go to the Dentist. But, I feel that God is calling me as one of Him workers to this self harvesting task.

In closing, do you also accept this challenge to go out into the Advent Fields and participate in the harvesting of the fruits of mercy offered to each one of us yearly at this time in the Sacrament of confession? Or, at least some of you show up and man the doors to make sure that I don't bolt out of church prematurely.