Advent 2025: Introduction of Advent Reflection
In Fr. Alfredo’s introduction to Advent for Life-Giving Wounds, one of the primary messages he gives is the preparation we go through for the coming of Christ into our hearts, our warped hearts. It is Christ who is the source of healing and salvation for our hearts. Fr. Alfredo also focuses on the opening words of the Gospel of John, which beautifully depict the Word’s relationship with the Father, the creation of life, and the Word being a light that shines in the darkness. Many times, we can sense darkness in our hearts. For us ACODs, the wounds from parental divorce or separation are etched deeply into our hearts. Our hearts can feel clouded or misguided, but there is a light that “shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) That light is Jesus, the one on whom we await to come and the one to whom we can cling when He arrives.
In Ancient Hebraic culture, the heart (לב (lev or leb)) was representative of a person’s mind, emotions, and will; it was understood, poetically, as the center of the inner life. In latin, the word cor means something similar, if not exactly the same. I am reminded of St. John Henry Newman’s motto: “Cor ad cor loquitur. (Heart speaks to heart.)” The Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Word, very often speaks directly into our wounded hearts seeking to sow His divine love into us that we may be healed and have new life.
Although our hearts were warped by the tragedy of divorce, and the wounds that compounded afterwards, Fr. Alfredo reminds us that the Word can come into our hearts and provide new life. We can encounter our Lord, and allow Him into our hearts this Advent season. We can encounter Him who first loves us in the Sacraments: especially Eucharist and Confession. As we prepare for Advent, may the Word come intimately into our hearts—our minds, our emotions, our wills, and our inner lives—and may He sanctify us during this season.
Prayer:
Eternal Word, we long for You this season of Advent as we await Your coming. Holy Lord, we invite You into our wounded hearts and seek after Your beautiful light. Please illuminate our hearts and make our hearts like unto Your own. Help us, Lord, to attune to You during this season. Amen.
About Fr. Alfredo
Fr. Alfredo was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ in June of this year for the Diocese of Arlington in Virginia. Although he was trained as a mechanical engineer, he decided to quit his job in research with the Navy to enter the seminary and give his life to God and His Church. Today, he serves at St. William of York in Stafford and loves every day of his priesthood. Each day is new and there is always so much more to learn.
About the author:
Sam grew up in Southwest Georgia and now resides in sunny Florida with his wife and daughters. He attended the Life Giving Wounds retreat in 2018 before getting married and after completing his graduate studies at The Catholic University of America. At CUA, he studied Library and Information Science, American History and met his wife. Sam is a convert to the Catholic faith having grown up in other Christian denominations. His maxim is Love to Know—Know to Live—Live to Love.
Reflection Questions for Small Groups or Individuals:
What tragedies do you feel are outside of your control at the start of this advent season?
In what ways have the tragedies and suffering you have experienced been transformed? How have they been like the fire of the Holy Spirit? How have they been life-giving?
What ways does the season of Advent touch your heart? How does Christ touch your heart in this season?
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