Second week of Advent: FAITH in the Journey to Bethlehem

“I feel myself in a mystery of Light—this mystery that comes from Faith in God, God in me and I am nothing, lost in the Light as a small drop thrown in the flame, and I was in the flame, where I found strength, grace, life, peace and love.” Sister Lucia of Fatima

How fitting that we celebrate the great feast of the Immaculate Conception during the Advent season. Mary conceived without sin was the start of our salvation and the fulfillment of the promise of a Messiah. It was the prophet Micah who foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. The second candle we light this Sunday is called the “Bethlehem Candle”; it represents FAITH, recalling the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. 

Let us make the journey with them during this Advent season.  As we do, we can go forward with the certainty that God has a plan for us, a destination where we will encounter Him.  Like Mary and Joseph, we may not know the challenges and disappointments we will face along the way.  But, our Faith tells us to trust that God has everything in His most capable hands.

The journey to Bethlehem is one we must undertake if we are to live and grow in FAITH. The darkest path there will lead us to a great Light.

“He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord, his God” (Mc 5:3).