Msgr. Pope on Hastening to Meet Jesus During Advent

"The Lord's coming is near. And though we have all been well taught that the word 'Advent' means 'coming,' there is the danger that we think we are only passively waiting for him to come. It is not just that the Lord is coming to us, but that we are also journeying to Him. In fact, as the Advent prayers in the Roman Missal instruct, we ought to run, not walk, and hasten to greet Him as He draws near.

"The image of the Prodigal Son comes to mind. His father saw him and ran toward him. But at the same time, he was hastening toward his father with contrition and hope. So too, in Advent, do we look for the Lord's coming. But the Lord also looks for us to come to Him by faith. We, like the prodigal son, consider our need for salvation, and with contrition (did you get to confession this advent?), hasten to meet our Lord, whom we know by faith is coming to us."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the importance of actively waiting for and reaching out to the Lord during the season of Advent.

To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:

Msgr. Charles Pope: Run, Don’t Walk, to the Nearing Jesus! (17 DEC 14)