Advent 2004
World Youth Day festivities in Cologne, Germany in August, 2005 are now less than 9 months away. Pilgrims from all over the world are busy preparing for this event when they will gather with Catholics from many different countries to worship the Lord and sing his praises.
Preparing for a pilgrimage takes lots of work and requires careful attention to unfamiliar details like fundraising, obtaining medical clearances, getting one’s travel papers (passport, visa) in order, and making reservations for airline tickets and lodging. Pilgrims are also deeply involved with preparing themselves spiritually for the trip, participating in catechetical sessions so that they might be fully prepared for such an important event.
Our efforts at planning for World Youth Day are certainly worthwhile. With the beginning of Advent, Jesus reminds us that we are to be ready to meet him and welcome his kingdom every day and in every moment. He compares the current time with the days of Noah: “They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be [also] at the coming of the Son of Man” (Mt 24:39). The ones who are prepared for the Lord’s coming will be welcomed into the kingdom. Those who are not will be left behind for destruction.
How do Jesus’ words affect the focus of your group’s preparation for World Youth Day? Perhaps your preparation has been mostly introspective. Other teen and young adult peers may be on the periphery wondering why you are spending so much time, effort, and money to journey to another continent for a “church event.” Let Advent be the time your group can verse others in the parish and community more about where you are going, what you will be doing, why your participation is important to you, and how they too can be involved.
This outreach can be done in several ways. For example:
- Set up an information table after Mass. Display photos of your preparation efforts and brochures and travel information (see www.wydusa.org or www.wyd2005.org).
- Invite other parishioners, fellow students, and neighbors in your community to be “pilgrim partners” with those in your group. These partners can be included in several of the preparation events, including catechetical sessions. During the time of the World Youth Day trip, the pilgrims and their partners can correspond via letter or e-mail.
- Sponsor an Advent prayer service in which you encourage pilgrims and others not participating in the Cologne events to pray for each other.
Jesus warns us to be prepared, “for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come” (Mt 24:44). This preparation must begin now! It must be ongoing! It must be for everyone!
- Lead a discussion on what it means to be prepared. Discuss various life situations in which teens and young adults are likely to make special preparations. For example
- special study courses to prepare for a college or grad school entrance test
- endurance and cross training to prepare for a 10K race or marathon
- applying for a new job or career opportunity
- retreat and meetings with priests and married couples in preparation for marriage.
- Connect the discussion to some of the preparations they have undertaken as pilgrims readying for World Youth Day 2005. Call on volunteers to share 1) how they personally are preparing, 2) in what ways the group is readying themselves, and 3) how they can or will involve other parishioners, fellow students or co-workers, and people in their neighborhood and community in preparation for World Youth Day 2005.
- Introduce the World Youth Day theme and its context: “We Have Come to Worship Him” based on Matthew 2:8. Point out the necessity of dropping everything to come to worship Jesus at a moment’s notice. Have the pilgrims imagine the Magi witnessing the rising star, doing the astrological preparations, leaving the day to day events of their lives, all to be able to come and worship him.
- Refer again to the words of the Sunday Gospel: “So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come” (Mt 24:44). Ask the pilgrims to think about one thing they will do to prepare themselves to meet and worship the Lord. Call on volunteers to share some of their ideas. Print them on a board or newsprint for all to see.
- Prepare sets of six 3” x 5” index cards (one set for each participant) with the following sentence starters:
- If I knew Jesus was to return to earth tomorrow I would . . .
- I am participating in World Youth Day 2005 because . . .
- One of the ways I come to worship the Lord is . . .
- My friends and family are supporting my participation in World Youth Day by . . .
- I believe the world can be better prepared to welcome Jesus by . . .
- The thing that keeps me from committing my whole life to Christ is . . .
- The reason that I have committed my whole life to Christ is…
- Have the participants spend some alone time (about 20 minutes) thinking about these phrases and finishing them in writing.
- After the time is up, have them stack their cards from top to bottom, the cards on top being the ones with more thought-out responses.
- Call on someone to share what they have written on the card they have placed on top. Ask them follow-up questions. If it’s a large group have them do this in small groups.
- Move on to other people and continue sharing in the same way.
- Enact one of the ideas mentioned in the Reflection section for engaging other parishioners, fellow students or co-workers, and community members in your group’s preparations for World Youth Day. For example, at an information table sponsored by the pilgrims after Mass, take the names of parishioners who would be willing to be prayer partners and pen pals to the World Youth Day pilgrims.
- Match one pilgrim with a parishioner (or other person in the community). Invite two to three of these partners to each catechetical, service, or social session from now until the time your group departs for World Youth Day. These guests can participate in all exercises and activities right along with the rest of the group.
- Also, encourage the pilgrims to meet with their partners individually on a month to month basis. They can share a small meal or cup of coffee together and inform each other about their faith lives and the ongoing preparations for World Youth Day.
- Once in Germany, encourage the pilgrims to keep in touch with their partners via e-mail or letter writing, sharing with them some of the contents of their daily journal chronicling the World Youth Day experience.
When some Pharisees and Sadducees came to receive the baptism of John, he called them a “brood of vipers” and challenged them to display “good fruits” as evidence of their repentance.
You know that people who back up their words with good actions are always more respected than those who only pay lip-service to what is right and good. This is especially true when we seek out the Lord for forgiveness of our sins.
Consider the actions of the penitent in the Sacrament of Penance:
The Sacrament of Penance begins with
contrition. This is the first movement to conversion in which we are truly sorry for our sins and intend to sin no more. When we love God above all else we experience what is known as “perfect contrition.”
Confession is our external expression of our sorrow and our willingness to accept responsibility for our sins. Perhaps this was part of what John the Baptist was questioning of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They appeared in line to receive his baptism without ever uttering the words “I am sorry.”
The process of conversion is completed with the person’s effort to correct the mistakes of one’s old life and to begin a new life without sin. This three-fold action of conversion by the penitent—contrition, confession, and penance—is supplemented by the actions of the priest who grants absolution in sacramental confession.
An important part of the process of conversion might be best described as sincerity.
Advent is a good opportunity for World Youth Day pilgrims to critique the sincerity of their motives for participating in the World Youth Day events up to and including the trip to Cologne in 2005. Certainly, there are some great social opportunities involved in a trip to Europe. There is nothing wrong with desiring to travel with friends to an exciting place with the expectation of meeting new friends!
But use the chance to remind the group that the World Youth Day experience offers much more, including:
- an opportunity to give up sin and its periphery in their lives and to live completely in the love of God
- a perfect chance to prepare for the Sacrament of Penance and to receive it frequently in the months ahead
- displaying the good fruits of conversion that typically translate to serving others in need
- developing a genuine desire to “come and worship” the Lord in Cologne.
These efforts are well worth it as the pilgrims and the entire Church continue to wait for the Promised One who, unlike John the Baptist, will “baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Mt 3:11).
- Choose several participants to pantomime the Gospel reading taking on the roles of John the Baptist, the Pharisees and Sadducees seeking baptism, as well as other “extras” in line to receive the baptism of John at the Jordan River. Also choose one person to be the reader.
- Other props to consider: an ax, branches from a tree, a fireplace, sandals, a rake (for the winnowing fan).
- Allow the group the time to practice the reading with pantomime. Then call on them to present this dramatic reading of Mathew 3:1-12 to the group.
- After the reading, discuss the difference between sincere and insincere conversion as represented by the characters. Point out that the winnowing fan was a fork-like shovel from which threshed wheat was thrown into the air. The kernels fell to the ground the chaff of the wheat blew off into the air and was gathered up and burned.
- Encourage a discussion on what practical steps a person can do regarding sin in his or her life. For example,
- they could do nothing even though they admit to sinfulness in their life
- they could do something about the sin later. Consider how often we hear people say “I’ll be a better Catholic when I am older” or “when I start my own family.”
- they could talk to God about their conversion. Prayer is a great tool for conversion, but sometimes we wonder how we can be sure of God’s directions for conversion.
- they could talk with a trusted friend or family member about how to give up their sinfulness. People we trust often offer the best guidance.
- they could combine some of the better suggestions above with the Sacrament of Penance. The grace of this Sacrament offers the fuel for lasting conversion.
- In a journal, have the participants write an entry about the kind of person they would like to become as they make the pilgrimage to Cologne and offer several practical steps for their conversion.
- Invite a priest to visit with the group and answer their questions about the Sacrament of Penance. Some of the issues to explore include:
- Why a Catholic has to go to confession. Why can’t they just ask God in their hearts for forgiveness?
- The seal of confession. Why a penitent doesn’t have to worry about a priest sharing his or her sins.
- Truly embarrassing sins, including those of a sexual nature. Does the priest remember what the person told him the next time they see each other?
- Allow a chance for the participants to address their own questions to the priest. Also, allow the opportunity for the priest to speak about his own feelings about the Sacrament of Penance, the meaning of “perfect contrition,” and how contrition of any kind seemed to be absent among the Pharisees and Sadducees who approached John the Baptist for baptism.
- Ask the pilgrims to set apart some alone time in a quiet space to write a “letter to God.” Tell the participants that no one will read their letter. For that reason, they should be as honest and heart-felt in their correspondence as they can.
- The letter to God should address some or all of the following issues:
- an area of sinfulness you want God’s help with
- a request for forgiveness
- a problem that seems overwhelming
- the kind of person that after conversion you hope to be
- Allow at least twenty minutes for writing the letter to God. Then have the participants write a “letter from God” on the back of their papers. Writing in God’s voice, this letter should address the issues brought up in the original letter by the participants.
- Provide a schedule for the Sacrament of Penance at your parish. Arrange a time when the pilgrims can meet at the church and go to confession. Plan to go out for dinner or coffee after everyone goes to confession.
John the Baptist has sometimes been described as the “last of the Old Testament prophets.” Certainly there was a common belief among Jews of Jesus’ time that there had been no prophecy in Israel since Malachi. John the Baptist’s role was to announce the coming of the kingdom.
Nevertheless, John was uncertain about whether Jesus was truly the Messiah. While in prison he instructed his disciples to go and ask Jesus, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” John held the Jewish belief that since the Kingdom would be apocalyptic in nature sinners would be condemned and perish. It would be a fiery and dramatic beginning to this new era.
In contrast, Jesus ushered in the Kingdom in stages. He responds to John by quoting the prophet Isaiah. The Kingdom is known by the kinds of works that Jesus is doing: “the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them” (Mt 11:4).
If John the Baptist had mistaken ideas about Jesus and his mission that had to be corrected, how might the beliefs of the World Youth Day pilgrims need to be analyzed, reflected on, and perhaps adjusted as they come to worship him?
For example:
- How many come to worship the Jesus who reaches out to the poor?
- How many come to worship the Jesus who calls us to love our enemies?
- How many come to worship the Jesus who demands that we forgive those who injured us over and over?
- How many come to worship the Jesus who offers his disciples the same cross he bore?
This pilgrimage leading to Cologne next summer is a great opportunity for teens and young adults to renew their time with the Lord and come to know him as the True Prophet who gives preference to the least of our brothers and sisters.
As Jesus reminds us in the Sunday Gospel, though there have been none greater disciples than John the Baptist, even the “least in the kingdom of heaven” is greater than he. This is a great piece of news, that just being included in God’s Kingdom is something too wonderful to top.
- Give a presentation comparing the world that Jesus encountered with the world today in various areas like politics, religion, and people. For example,
- In politics, Jesus encountered a Roman emperor and military occupation. Now, Jesus would encounter . . . (let the participants describe).
- In religion, Jesus encountered a Jewish society divided into sects of various beliefs (e.g. Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots). Today, Jesus would encounter . . . (let the participants offer examples like pluralistic society, atheism, as well as division of major religions, including division within Christianity).
- Jesus reached out to the lowly, including lepers, the poor, women, and sinners. Today, he would likely reach out to . . . (let the participants make suggestions).
- Call on a volunteer to take the role of Jesus and come before the class. In character, have the person describe the world around him or her, including the very specific world of your own local parish and community. For example, what would Jesus say about events in today’s news? about the spirit at your parish? about the kinds of people who are given the most respect by others? the least respect?
- After some time in discussion, choose other volunteers to take on the same role.
- Highlight the role of John the Baptist in heralding the coming of the Messiah and of the Kingdom. Also, point out how the Gospel reading shows John’s uncertainty (“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”). List on the board or newsprint the evidence that Jesus provides that he is indeed the Messiah (see Matthew 11: 4-5).
- Dim the lights, have the participants sit in a circle, light a candle, and put it in the center of the circle.
- Play a recording of “Here I Am, Lord” by Dan Schutte or provide copies of the lyrics and lead the singing of the song.
- Ask the participants to think about those in their midst who are in need of the Lord’s presence in their own lives. Have the participants think about the name of one person who the Lord might send them to be his presence and how they might respond.
- Light a smaller candle from the candle in the center. Briefly describe (don’t name) the person you were thinking about. Tell about the person’s need. Tell how you can help. Then pass the candle to a person beside you and ask that person to describe the person he or she was thinking about.
- Continue until everyone has had a chance to share.
- Conclude by standing, joining hands, and offering a communal prayer for all people in need. Pray the Our Father together.
- As you are able, bring Christ’s love to the person you prayed for in the response above.
- Look for a concrete way to help a person or family in need. For example:
- buy and wrap Christmas gifts and donate them to the poor
- invite a lonely person out for lunch
- take a roll of photos from around your neighborhood and bring the developed photos to share with a person confined to an elder care facility
- take a group of children ice skating
- go Christmas caroling with other World Youth Day pilgrims.
- Write a journal entry reflecting on the service you performed for another. Include a prayer in your own words for the person’s needs.
What makes us afraid to embrace Jesus and allow him to come into our lives?
For Joseph, it was that Mary, the woman to whom he was engaged, was pregnant. As the child was conceived without Joseph, he decided to divorce her quietly. Presumably, Joseph would have lived apart from mother and child from that time on.
Joseph’s intentions change after he has a dream and an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.” The angel told Joseph that Mary’s son would be Jesus, and that “he will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21).
This announcement of Jesus’ birth teaches many lessons to anyone who is afraid of being close to Jesus.
For one, Joseph followed the dream God sent him. He traded his own plans for what God asked of him. What dream is God sending you about your future? Are you willing to take risks to follow God’s dream? How do your plans for the future fit with God’s call to you? Remember Joseph was a man who followed his dreams in which desires of God were revealed to him.
Also, it was okay for Joseph to be afraid. The Lord addressed Joseph’s fears and calmed them. Following Jesus is often risky and dangerous business. But as the angel of the Lord told Joseph to “not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home” neither should we be afraid to stake out on the course of Joseph and the first disciple, Mary, our Mother, who put everything in her life aside in order to do God’s will and not her own.
In addition, the annunciation to Joseph reminds us of the long, unbroken family of faith to which we belong. According to Matthew’s Gospel, Joseph was a descendent of King David. He was not related to Jesus by blood. Yet it is through this adoption that Jesus is united with the Jews and the people of faith that came before him. Likewise, Jesus’ adoption by Joseph reminds us that we, as Gentiles, experience a similar fate of being adopted children into God’s family.
At World Youth Day in Cologne, the pilgrims will see evidence of the fruits of this long history of our family of faith. They will meet other “descendents” of Jesus’, Joseph’s, and David’s line when they play, study, worship, and pray with fellow pilgrims from every continent.
- Define the term “Incarnation” and present the Church’s teaching on the mystery. See the Catechism of the Catholic Church, #461-463.
- With the participants, read and compare the two accounts surrounding the birth of Jesus from Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels. For example,
- Read Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:37-38. Ask: Why does Matthew’s genealogy trace to Abraham and Luke’s trace to Adam? (Matthew wanted to show Jesus’ relationship with the Hebrew family tree extending from Abraham through Joseph. Luke, writing for Gentiles, was more concerned with showing how all people are in fellowship with Jesus; Jesus as the new Adam, Mary as the new Eve.)
- Next read and compare Matthew 1:18-2:23 and Luke 2:1-40. Have the participants point out passages where Luke expresses the theme of the universal savior for all and Matthew expresses Jesus’ connection with Jewish history as told in the Old Testament.
- Print these statements on the board or newsprint:
- I am a person who knows/senses what God wants me to do.
- I usually make decisions that are the safest or surest.
- I have some fears about committing myself to following Christ.
- I feel connected to a community of faith of both Christians today and in the past, as well as ancestors in the Jewish faith all the way to Abraham.
- Share this method of responding: 5 fingers=strongly agree, 1 finger=strongly disagree. Read each statement one at a time. Call on the participants to hold up fingers (1 to 5) based on what they believe about each statement. Randomly call on volunteers to explain why they held the number of fingers that they did. Choose respondents from both sides of the scale as well as the middle.
- Ask the participants to research their own family histories, especially involving their Catholic heritage.
- For example, encourage them to find out the date of their parents or grandparents Baptism and the church where they were baptized.
- Invite several volunteers to share the origins of their family’s Christian faith with the other pilgrims.
- If possible, invite a long-time parishioner to speak to the pilgrims about the parish’s founding, its changes after the Second Vatican Council, and its outlook for the future.
- Arrange for a gift exchange among fellow World Youth Day pilgrims. However, rather than giving gifts to one another, make a donation to an agency or family in need in the name of another pilgrim in your group. Write a short note to the pilgrim explaining the gift you gave in their name and how the agency serves others.
- Choose one of the agencies where a donation has been made. As a group project, volunteer some time in service there.
- Meet during the week before Christmas and attend a weekday Mass together as a group.
- Hold a “cookie exchange” with the group of pilgrims. Exchange homemade cookies and recipes with one another.