Rev. Peter M.J. Stravinskas: Hope, the Future, and Advent

By Rev. Peter M.J. Stravinskas, The Catholic Thing, Dec. 5, 2021

Father Peter Stravinskas holds doctorates in school administration and theology. He is the founding editor of The Catholic Response and publisher of Newman House Press. Most recently, he launched a graduate program in Catholic school administration through Pontifex University.

As we draw closer to Christmas, our Byzantine brothers and sisters celebrate two Sundays in honor of Christ’s forebears. Let’s give some consideration today to one of them, the nearly forgotten Zechariah.

Advent is a season concerned with developing particular attitudes more than prescribing certain actions. One difficulty of modern man is not that he does wrong things (although he does) as much as that he thinks wrong thoughts. Correct thinking leads to correct behavior. In theological language: Orthodoxy brings about orthopraxis. Attitudes, however, are not disembodied realities; they are incarnate in concrete, historical persons. Therefore, it’s helpful to reflect on this relatively unsung hero, who played a key role in the first Advent and who can assist us in experiencing a holy Advent and Christmas in our own day. …