DEAR EDITOR: As we come to the close of the calendar year we reflect on the lessons we learn from Jesus from His Incarnation to His Death and Resurrection. We find three essential points to note: 1. Sacrifice 2. Humility 3. Truth

Sacrifice: we see in His life our sufferings and the sufferings of those around us. Our families are in turmoil, our lives not so great, we are living under the banner and bondage of sin that we cannot get out of. We struggle to rely on God for our strength but yet are called to represent Him.

It is difficult...the list is endless. Yet, out of His suffering and persecution came hope, a hope that we can truly anticipate once we make the right choice - the choice we were made for: to serve God.

For those who doubt His presence, to sacrifice for a being we cannot see or touch seems ridiculous, but belief in His power to save us from all disappointments and strife will surpass all doubt surrounding us.

It is about renouncing our very selves to behold the grace that is stored up for us to deal with all these things we undergo. As we await His coming, we must examine our lives and truly understand what sacrifice entails.

Humility: a virtue worth exercising. It is not overt, but it reflects through our very person – who we are – so all can see. Jesus embodied humility as He lived among us not as a king but as a servant.

Though His title was above all on earth, He lived the life God expected from Him. So too we must empty ourselves like Jesus did and allow the light of the Spirit within us to shine.

Truth: something we give and receive partially because of our sinful nature; but by the grace we receive from the Father, and under the power of the Holy Spirit, we can discern truth in its fullness. We are exposed to a travesty of the truth even within our Christian communities.

Truth is not what we want to believe or what sounds reliable; it is what existed from the beginning with God, and in God, and what is revealed by the Holy Spirit to us. Scripture has been abused for personal gain by people who did not understand.

Our role is to understand through our rich heritage of Catholic teachings. How can centuries of experiences by those who lived even in the time of Jesus Christ, and who have testified the truth that we practice even today, be wrong? Truth? There is only one.

Having examined the points, we can now see that the Advent life helps us to reflect on our purpose for living: it is not for our careers, our children (if any), our possessions, the Church building, or anything like that.

Our purpose for living is to know, love and serve God in spirit and in wholesome mind and will. If we strip ourselves of everything we have except our spirit, mind and will, who will we be? This challenge presents to us a lifelong journey of learning and experiencing faith in a new way.

Continue in the journey if you are on it. If you are not, reflect on the meaning of Advent in relation to these points, and make a start in prayer. Be blessed!!

Marina Marcano, Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, San Fernando