Second Sunday of Advent

12-07-2025Letter from the PastorFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As I child, I can remember counting down the days until Christmas. Mom would put up the felt Advent calendar that had one piece of candy tied to it for each day of Advent. Waiting for the days to pass seemed like forever. I remember wanting to untie them two at a time thinking Christmas would somehow arrive sooner. It never did.

Sacred Scripture reminds us that Our Lord's timing may be different from ours. Since God doesn't always give us what we want exactly when we want it, we can grow impatient with God. But we all learn as a child that patience is virtue. As Catholics, we learn in the Catechism of the Catholic Church that patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory.

The Church lists twelve of them: "charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity" (CCC 1832). Patience involves enduring trials, waiting on God's timing, and responding to evil with good, rather than reacting impulsively. Patience is often needed while waiting when someone or something doesn't respond to our predetermined timetable. Patience often sacrificing some immediate satisfaction for the sake of a greater good. These are words can be difficult to hear since we are so used to immediate gratification.

So many sins involve a lack of patience. For example, when a person loses their temper on the road - that shows lack of patience for another person's driving skills or lack thereof. Stealing and cheating are also sins of impatience: Rather than working hard, a person simply wants to grab what they want because they often want it now. And even sins like fornication, adultery, pornography, cohabitation, and contraception are sins of impatience. Rather than respecting God's plan for marriage and human sexuality, a person wants immediate gratification.

The season of Advent gives us a chance to retum to the basics - and there is no virtue more basic than patience. It means discipline, hard work, sacrifice, and waiting for the right moment. Patience is difficult. But it does bring great rewards. Advent can help us to learn patience: To wait, not nervously, but patiently. Advent can help us to learn God's time - to avoid those sins of impatience that cause so much harm. If we wait patiently, Our Lord will give us every good thing. Ask Our Lord to help us to wait in joyful hope. Keep in mind that patience is best made to grow in moments when we are tested. When we see the opportunity in every trial, this will change our perspective and help us to grow little by little.

A Prayer for Virtue

Jesus, give me patience when things don't go my way. Teach me to offer my sufferings as a sacrifice, united to Yours on the cross. Let me find peace in situations I can't control or change because I trust in You. Amen. - St. Francis de Sales

God Bless,

Fr. Don Kline