Last December 3, the Heartspace Manila community had its annual Advent Recollection, given by Rev. Fr. Pachomius Ma. San Juan, OSB. In his morning talk, Fr. Paco spoke on the gospel readings this Advent as being not just God’s story, but our story as well. All liturgical celebrations, he said, are an expression of love, and Advent is a time when God’s longing for us and ours for Him is manifest.

In his afternoon talk, Fr. Pacho stressed the importance, in the days leading up to Christmas, of an attitude of spiritual alertness, of watching and wakefulness. Christian meditation, he said, is a means of achieving this, and is a relevant practice in light of the world we live in and the signs of the times.