The Jacaranda Tree - the forerunner of Advent

Dear friends,

The streets of Brisbane are alive with the beautiful purple flowers of Jacaranda trees. I always look forward to late October and November each year to see the seemingly invisible Jacarandas literally spring into life! I remember when I was studying at The University of Queensland (located in the midst of some of the best jacarandas) once the jacarandas started to flower, the students knew that the exam period was fast approaching.

As Catholics, we are geared towards seasons as well. In a somewhat similar way to the Jacarandas, we are in the midst of differing seasons. These seasons are climatic (like Spring) but they are also liturgical, and each has a particular focus or emphasis. We are about to finish one liturgical season (Ordinary Time) on the Feast of Christ the King (25 November) and then commence another one, Advent. As Catholics, I would say that we generally mark the season of Lent quite well. Just think of the ‘Little Black Books’ of Lent, Project Compassion, Lenten Groups and fasting, just to name a few.
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What do we do for Advent? Or more importantly, what does God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, do in and through us? The Jacarandas have carpeted the streets Advent-purple in the anticipation. What are we doing to prepare for the coming of Christ?
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God bless
Fr Thomas

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