II Corinthians 1:3-5

“Praise be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the god of all consolation! He comforts us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who are in trouble with the same consolation we have received from him. As we have shared much in the suffering of Christ, so through Christ do we share abundantly in his consolation.”

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Advent Season and the light that it brings begs us to turn to God for his consolation, and it challenges us to comfort others “who are in trouble.” This recommendation of St. Paul to the Corinthians is also meant for us, especially during this holy season of expectation and hope. With Advent, we begin a new liturgical year, and one of the clarion proclamations, expressed in word and song is:

“Comfort, comfort My people.” Is. 40:1

This heavenly consolation and comfort begins with a God who loves and is concerned with our wellbeing: “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies.” It is in the Person of the Messiah, Jesus, that we have received: Light, consolation, and hope. As we embrace this truth, we must persevere in knowing that the Father comforts us in all of our afflictions as he did with his Son, Jesus. Even during Jesus’ terrible passion and death, in the midst of experiencing the darkness of abandonment, Jesus persevered and trusted his merciful Father.

During these uncertain times of wars and violence, hatred, lawlessness, and division, in the midst of all of this, we, too, can experience an oppressive sense of abandonment. It is a darkness that can settle over us in order to disillusion and rob us of hope. But we must be reassured that God, the Father of Mercies, has not abandoned us.

We, during this Advent season, need to be a people of hope. Once we are secure in hope, then we can be true instruments of encouragement and consolation to our brothers and sisters who are fearful and who are struggling in this life. As we share and unite our afflictions to those of Christ, so in Christ, we will “share abundantly in his consolation.”

May the holy season of Light, consolation, and comfortAdvent-prepare, strengthen, and illuminate our minds and hearts as we await the Coming of Jesus. During this Advent and Christmas Season, let us welcome He, who is Comfort, who was sent by the Father-Emmanuel!

“Let us be comforted!” “Let us embrace the Light!”

In the Peace of Christ,

Bishop Cotta

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