Preparing for Christ Through Purification in Advent – Dec 23 – Homily – Fr Terrance
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Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Dec 23, 2025, where he explores the Advent themes of John the Baptist's preparation and the Messiah's purifying mission, emphasizing how God refines priests and people for righteous worship, especially through the Eucharist, and calls for fruitful surrender, especially during spiritual dryness.
In this homily, Father highlights the Advent readings focusing on John the Baptist as the forerunner for Christ's coming at Christmas. He delves into the secondary theme from Malachi, where the Messiah purifies God's people, starting with the sinful priests, the sons of Levi, because the spiritual health of the flock depends on its leaders. God purifies us to offer righteous worship, like the Holy Eucharist for priests and our lives united to it for the faithful, giving true meaning to life and eternal joy. Purification removes mortal and venial sins, weeds out vices like pride and lust, and uses the loss of spiritual consolations to foster humility, detachment, and deeper faith. Father quotes St. Thérèse on practicing unfelt love during dry times and encourages trusting abandonment to God's will, invoking Our Lady's help to welcome Christ with pure hearts.
Malachi 3:2-3 - Messiah as refiner's fire - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/malachi/3?2
Philippians 1:6 - Completing good work - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/1?6
CCC 2015 - Participating in God's life - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2015.htm
CCC 1430-1433 - Conversion and purification - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm#IV
CCC 1866 - Venial sins and vices - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1866.htm
Catechism on Eucharist - Sacrifice of righteousness - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1362.htm
St. Thérèse of Lisieux - Doctor of the Church - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-therese-of-lisieux/
Spiritual Dryness & Dark Night of the Soul - Catholic Answers - https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/dark-night-of-the-soul-not-what-you-think
Ave Maria!
Mass: Weekdays of Advent - Dec 23
Readings: - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/122325.cfm
1st: mal 3:1-4, 23-24
Resp: psa 25:4-5, 8-10, 14
Gsp: luk 1:57-66
More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1334
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