Pope opens Advent preparation, speaks of "joy of waiting"

November 30, 2009

Pope Benedict XVI ushered in the season of Advent on November 28, leading a Vespers service in the Vatican basilica and remarking that Advent is a "potent liturgical period" in which Christians should contemplate the presence of God and "the joy of waiting." "Is it not often true that it is activity itself that possesses us, society with its multiple distractions that monopolizes our attention?" the Pontiff asked in his homily at the Saturday-evenign Vespers service. "Is it not true that we dedicate a lot of time to entertainment and leisure activities of various kinds?"

Time spent in waiting for an event can be frustrating when people have the wrong perspective, the Pope said. He urged the faithful to "live the present intensely," recognizing that God is already present to us. the rest