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By Sarah Chichester (Dec 3, 2009)
The following is the first in a weekly series of reflections for Advent.

If you have suffered the death of a loved one, if you've lost your job, or experienced financial hardship: this is the season for you.

If you are lonely, sad, sick, hurting, separated from family, whether by arguments or distance: this is the season for you.

If you are broken, weak, and tired: this is the season for you.

For the Advent season is especially suited for you and me, for the suffering in need of a Savior. As St. Faustina writes, "And of ourselves, what are we? — Less than nothing" (Diary of St. Faustina, 1655). We long for a Savior, for someone to make whole our brokenness, to comfort us as we mourn, to heal us from the ache of loneliness. Life is very difficult for many of us, and Advent allows us the time to call out to Jesus: "Come! Come! I need you!"

Note the words "Many of us ... ." Often we forget that others feel as we do. We forget in the midst of our sorrow that others are sorrowing as well. Sometimes we find it hard to see beyond the pain in our hearts, and because of it we seem so alone.

You are not alone. You are not alone in your suffering, and you are not alone in your need for Jesus.

So let's cry out together, "Come Lord Jesus! Come to me in my grief! Come to me in my joblessness, in my anxiety, in my fatigue!"

Let this be our prayer in this first week of Advent. Throughout the following days, repeat this prayer to Jesus. Let us groan with all of nature for the coming of our Savior! (see Romans 8:14-28)

We need Jesus, and we long for Him. Next week, let's reflect on the hope we have in His coming.

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