Monday, November 16, 2015

A New Start

Each year, the Church invites us to embark upon a journey toward the Nativity many call “Advent”. The very next day, [that’s today] the Church commemorates the Feast of Saint Matthew with the Gospel message, “For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matthew 9.13) Repentance is the start of every new journey, and we are blessed to take advantage of the opportunity for a fresh start each year during “Advent” as a preparation for Christmas. Frankly that is just one of the blessings of the Church Calendar as the cycle repeats itself each year. Each year is a chance for a new start.

Yesterday I preached about being addicted to sin. You may watch the sermon here.  I spoke about the truth that every addict awakes in the morning wanting to kick the addiction. This morning it occurred to me that “Advent” is another “morning” when we can get a new start. It gives us another chance to rededicate our life to Christ and welcome the Nativity (in just 39 days) with a new outlook, no longer a slave to the sin that captures our hearts daily.


Have a blessed fast.

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