A detail of a stained-glass window from St. Edward’s Church in Seattle shows Jesus, Mary and Joseph on their flight into Egypt. The feast of the Nativity of Christ, a holy day of obligation, is celebrated Dec. 25. The feast of the Holy Family is marked Dec. 29. (CNS/Crosiers)
By Father Timothy Gollob
Special to The Texas Catholic
It is Advent season, and we have been warned to stay awake and to keep our eyes alert for a special coming of someone who will show us the path that leads to eternal life.
I have a couple of new images to ponder (since this Advent is a time to keep silent vigil and to creatively meditate).
One of these images came about as I was blessing a grave at the National Cemetery in Dallas. As “Taps” was being played, I noticed that the bugler faced west toward the setting sun.
Upon reflection, it was evident that that position was exactly the correct one. Just as the first bugle call in the morning called the troops to rise and shine and face the east, where the sun was rising, in order to be “oriented” correctly for the marches of the day, so too at the end we are called to sleep in peace with the setting sun.
This idea was strengthened by the amazing escapades of Rosetta, the comet-chasing satellite from Europe. It seems that for 10 years this marvelous voyager has been chasing a comet, 67P.
In order to save energy, the whole machine was put into a sleep for three years. Finally the signal was given for the radars inside it to wake up. They had to search the skies to find certain stars and from them find the proper orientation to beam this message to Earth, “All systems are awake and ready to approach the comet!”
Unfortunately, the little rover Philae ended up bouncing into a wall and the light of the sun could not recharge its batteries. Now the scientists are awaiting a future time in the path of the comet when it will be nearer to the light of the sun.
And, so too, do we continue to await the warmth and light of the Son of God who is coming soon and very soon.
Father Timothy Gollob is the pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Oak Cliff.
