A Meaningful Start to the Advent Season

Today marks the beginning of Advent, that special time when we all pray as we prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This year's theme is "Bearers of the Good News" which calls for us to follow Mary in bringing the Good News closer to those who are in need - friends how may be losing hope, people who may feel unloved or those who are experiencing low self-esteem.

Today, a Sunday, is also the day when our family usually goes for mass. What made today more special than other Sundays though was that we (hubby and I) were chosen to be the couple to participate in the Offertory. I had a feeling something good was going to happen during mass the moment one of the church ushers glanced in our direction before the mass started. After a few minutes, one of the Filipino ushers approached us and asked us if we were a couple. We nodded. She asked if we were baptized and we said yes. She asked us if we would agree to bring the offerings to the altar. We looked at each other and we said yes. Of course, we said yes. 

I felt nervous though, after the Filipino usher left. It's been a long time since I became part of the Offertory. We were assured by the usher that we would be guided by the other usher in-charge before we marched down the aisle. The boys were also excited about our participation that Kelvin initially suggested he would take our photo. Of course, he did not take our picture while we were walking towards the altar because that would have been disrespectful and even disruptive to the mass. 

During the Offertory, Mark was handed the chalice with the holy communion while I was given the water and wine. We were given the blessings by the usher in-charge then we followed the two altar boys as they slowly walked to the altar towards the officiating priest, Father Robertus. One by one, we handed the offerings to the priest, bowed in front of the altar, and headed back to our pew where the boys were waiting for us.

Today we were chosen by the Lord to be a part of the mass, on this special First Sunday of Advent, and for that we were very honored and thankful. What a meaningful and blessed Sunday mass it was for us. We hope and pray that we can continue to be among the bearers of the Good News to others.