St Charles Borromeo – the Cardinal Archbishop of Milan back in the late 16th century – was at the forefront of implementing the reforms of the Council of Trent – improving the formation of priests and the development of seminaries. He worked to improve the catechesis of the laity in the parish with the founding of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine in Rome– also known as CCD. He also established classes on Sundays for youth – the beginning of Sunday school.
Not just academically but also spiritually and liturgically. He placed great emphasis on the ability of the faithful to see the altar, with some rood screens being removed and replaced by the altar rail - here, helping the faithful recognize the real presence of Christ on the altar, body, blood, soul, and divinity.
He was an influential reformer, devoted to the Church, always planning and working out how to help the faithful. Many of his works took decades to come to fruition, some not reaching completion until long after the end of his life. He had a vision and a plan; he is a fantastic example of many things. There is a reason he is the patron of bishops, along with catechists, catechumens, and seminarians, among others.
For all these great works, reforms, and planning, there is one story that always stands out in my mind – For there was one evening he was playing billiards with some of his priests, and the conversation shifted in an unusual direction – if Christ was to return in an hour in glory what would you do? – one said he would fall on his knees to prayer, to prepare. Another said he would go to confession to clear his conscience, that he might be ready for the last judgment.
St Charles Borromeo? – he provided a very different response - “I should quietly continue to play the game because I began it with the intention of honoring God.”
“Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.” – Borromeo’s actions would not change because he is already living, ready for Christ to return – watching, waiting. – every action for the glory of God. – if Christ was returning? He would do nothing different. For he is already watchful and alert.
The temperature outside slowly drops – At universities, papers are coming due, and final exams are approaching. Around the country, vague holiday-themed coffee cups are in use. Lights and trees are put all around, everything decorated – the music has changed on the radio - all looking forward towards Christmas – yet here, in the Church, not yet. – No trees are out in the Church – just a simple wreath – we do not wear the celebratory white and gold of Christmas – we wear the violet of penance – for in order to celebrate the coming of Christ, it is necessary to prepare – in preparing for Christmas we turn to a penitential season – Advent.
Advent, which comes from the Latin adventus – arrival – for it is a season of preparation for the arrival of Christ – Christmas is a few short weeks away – and we prepare ourselves for the celebration – not just the house, travel plans, and the tree, but also our souls. But it is not just looking towards our Celebration of Christ's Nativity – his coming in history – but he will come again in glory - a coming that we do not know the day nor the hour when it will come.
As we prepare for Christmas – let us be prepared for Christ’s coming again in glory. Do not wait till Christ’s return is here to start praying; pray now. Do not wait until it is an urgent emergency – go to confession now. Watch, be alert – be prepared! We do not know when – let each thing we do be for the sake of honoring God. Let us not put things off, for we do not know the day nor the hour.
Recall that one of Borromeo’s reforms was to reinforce the people’s understanding of the real presence of Christ, making clear that Christ is present on the alter body, blood, soul, and divinity – A crucial part of preparing for Christ to come in glory is to receive Christ as he comes to us now in mystery – most clearly here in the Mass – the representation of the sacrifice on Calvary.
In many sacristies, usually where the priest prepares for Mass, there is a small plaque that gives the priest a reminder - “Priest of God, celebrate this Mass as if it is your first Mass, your last Mass, your only Mass.” –While that plaque is in sacristies to remind the priest – it also goes for everyone’s participation in Mass – “Christian, participate in this Mass as if it is your first Mass, your last Mass, your only Mass.” - “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.”