Have you ever been in the middle of a mess you couldn’t fix, waiting for something—or someone—to step in and make it right? Maybe it was a problem at work, a tough conversation you kept putting off, or just that feeling of being stuck. You didn’t know how it would end, but you hoped it wouldn’t stay this way forever.

That kind of waiting can feel endless. It’s frustrating and uncomfortable because we’re wired to want quick fixes and clear solutions. But sometimes, the only thing we can do is wait and trust that help is on the way. That’s the tension of Advent—the mess isn’t gone yet, but we light the first candle and hold on to the promise that it will be.

This Sunday marks the beginning of Advent, and the theme for this first week is hope. It’s not the “cross your fingers and wish” kind of hope. It’s not tied to whether life gets easier or the world gets quieter. Christian hope is deeper. It’s knowing that even when things feel shaky, God’s promises hold firm.

Jesus paints a vivid picture in the Gospel this week: signs in the sky, roaring seas, people overwhelmed with fear. It sounds heavy, but then Jesus says, “Stand up. Look up. Your redemption is near.”

The hope He offers isn’t about avoiding the hard stuff. It’s about facing it with confidence because we know how the story ends. God is coming through—He always has, and He always will.

The challenge is that hope isn’t automatic. Jesus warns us to stay awake, not to let our hearts get weighed down by distractions or anxieties. That hit me this week. How often do we check out—scrolling through our phones, stressing about things we can’t control, or just numbing things because life feels overwhelming?

Hope asks something different from us. It asks us to stay engaged, to keep showing up, to live each day like we believe God is working—even if we can’t see it yet.

Advent is like building a tower, one layer at a time. This week’s layer–and foundation– is hope. Without it, the rest—peace, joy, love—won’t stand. But with hope as our foundation, we can handle whatever comes.

So, let me ask you: Where’s your hope right now? This week, light the first candle and let that be your reminder: God is faithful. He’s working in the mess, in the waiting, and in your life. And He’s not done yet.

God bless you!
-Fr. Francisco