Allocution December 3, 1st Sunday of Advent
Today, December 3, first Sunday of Advent, we hear in all Catholic churches the gospel according to Saint Mark, chapter 13, verses 33 to 37.
(Gospel)
The phrase is repeated three times: Be alert or forewarned and we are invited to be alert at dusk, at midnight, at rooster crowing or at dawn.
We can say that we must be attentive 24 hours a day, waiting for the final coming of Jesus Christ.
Since we do not know the day or the hour of his arrival, we are in prayer praising our Creator as we contemplate the sky, the sea, the flowers, the children, the grandchildren, the grandparents, the parents. We are attentive 24 hours a day, recognizing the Lord Jesus who comes across us at all times in the people who ask us for help.
If we are always in prayer, in attention to the present Christ in whom he asks something of us, in reading the Word of God, in reflecting on this Word, the Lord will be received at whatever moment he arrives, whether in the final hour of our lives, whether when He returns to bless all good works and present them as praises to God the Father.
We wait and are attentive because God is our Father and never leaves us alone, but continually shows us his love.
We wait and are attentive because God always keeps his Word. It is true that sometimes we despair because we do not feel His presence and mercy, but in the end He is there at the necessary moment.
In this time of Advent it is good to remember all those moments in which we have felt the love of God that never fails, neither in pain nor in joy.
Let us be attentive so that when the Lord comes, he finds us praying, doing good, helping family, neighbors and friends.
What a good time this is for Him to arrive!
(Song)
The time of Advent, a month before Christmas, is the time of waiting. To live it well, you have to have the ability to wait, you have to accept that you can’t have everything calculated. Wait for something else. Allow God to surprise you. Open your heart to wait, to receive what the Holy Spirit wants to give you. Let yourself change, let the Lord modify your plans, open yourself to his newness. So yes, Christmas will bring you new grace, it will renew your life and allow you to start a better year. Don’t stop waiting. Dream that it is possible for you to live better, accept that you really can be a holier, more serene, happier, more generous person. Don’t give up, because God still wants to do many precious things in you. Wait, wait, wait. Jesus comes, and brings you something that you will only receive if you are truly open. It’s not that you have to go to Him, with your strength and your mind. No. It is He who comes to you. Look forward to it. (Taken from More Minutes with the Holy Spirit).
(Song)
A young king had ascended the throne, after the unexpected death of his father. Since he had no experience, he feared that he would not know how to govern well. Then he summoned the wise men of the kingdom to enlighten him.
The wise men brought him a lot of books, articles and scrolls.
Seeing that number of pages, the king said: “It’s not enough for me! a lifetime to read all this! Summarize in a few pages what It is written in every book!
Eight years passed and finally they returned to the king’s presence. The books had been reduced by half, but the sovereign said again: “It’s too much. I don’t have time to read it all: summarize it all in one book!”
Many more years passed… Meanwhile the king had grown old and was ill, no longer having any strength. But, before dying, he wanted, at all costs, to get to know the essence of all wisdom. He called the wise men again and said to them: “Summarize it in a single sentence!”
Meanwhile other years passed… The king was already on his deathbed: he had only a few days to live. Before leaving, he called his trusted advisor to summarize all the knowledge and wisdom in the world. The counselor replied: «Sire, the wisdom of the world is in just three words: “Live in the moment.”».
Indian storytelling is beautiful! Years do not exist; not even months exist; minutes exist. He who has lived 70 years will not have to answer for the 280 seasons passed; nor for the 840 months or the 25,550 days: you must answer for the 37 million minutes that make up, precisely, 70 years. Let us be attentive to every minute of our life, because the Lord can happen in that minute.
(Song)
The book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 38, verses 1 to 15, tells us about doctors.
Give the doctor all the esteem he deserves due to his services because the Lord wanted it that way. Improvement comes from the Most High and it is the King who grants the gift of healing.
The doctor’s knowledge allows him to walk with his head held high. Even the great ones admire them.
The Lord created medicinal plants that sprout from the earth. An intelligent man does not despise them. Remember that wood that sweetened the bitter waters, and with that the Lord made his power known.
He gives men knowledge so that they may glorify him for the wonderful remedies he created. The doctor uses them to heal and to remove pain. The pharmacist makes his mixtures with them. In this way the works of the Lord are not finished and well-being continues to spread throughout the earth.
My son, when you are sick, do not get depressed, pray to the Lord to heal you. Renounce your bad actions. Keep your hands clean and purify your heart from any sin. Offer God the incense and flour so that he will keep you in his memory. Present to him an offering chosen from your possessions, then have the doctor come, since the Lord created him. Don’t despise it, because you need it. In some cases the restoration goes through their hands. They will pray to the Lord to help them find the means to relieve you and save your life.
So a man sins against his Creator when he refuses to be treated by the doctor.
Word of the Lord… Glory to you, Lord Jesus.
Father God, I thank you for the doctors you have placed on the path of my life. Remember what they have done for me and my family. Thanks to you and them.
Lord Jesus Christ; They have been good Samaritans for me and mine. Don’t forget to reward them in this life and in the eternal.
Holy Spirit, continue to give your gift of science to doctors, dentists, and nurses so that they can wholeheartedly serve their neighbors, find ethical ways of healing, and overcome illnesses with your creative grace.
Saint Mary of Charity, pray for health, peace, family harmony and joy to those who care for my ailments and make them happy in your service.
Blessed José Olallo Valdés, present to God the Father my prayers so that those who care for my health may form a beautiful family in their home, in their Church and at their workplace. Amen.
In the Panama Canal you can see a plaque, a well-deserved tribute to a wise man from Camagüey who helped eradicate a lot of pain in this world:
“Camagüey, 1833. Havana, 1915. Carlos J. Finlay.
The discovery of the transmission of the yellow fever germ by Dr. Carlos J. Finlay in 1881 not only marks an epoch in the scientific history of the world but is of special significance for Panama. Without this discovery, which made possible the cleansing of tropical areas, the great work of the Panama Canal would not have been possible without enormous sacrifice of life. The people and government of Panama, grateful for the illustrious Cuban wise man, perpetuate his memory.”
(Song)
Next Friday the 8th we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception, we pray to the Virgin:
Blessed be your purity and eternally be,
because a whole God recreates himself in such graceful beauty.
To You, heavenly Princess, Holy Virgin Mary,
on this day I offer you soul, life and heart.
Look at me with compassion, don’t leave me, my Mother.
Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among all women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen
Sweet Mother, don’t go away, don’t take your eyes off me.
Come with me everywhere and never leave me alone.
Since you protect me so much as a true Mother,
May the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit bless me. Amen.
(Song)
Our father…