12/2/22 - Friday Forget-Me-Nots by Jim Silcott

Dear Our Lady of Peace Family,

The Ohio State football game against Michigan was not a happy event for Buckeye nation. For the second

year in a row, after dominating the team up north for many years, Michigan has now delivered two years of a beatdown

to Ohio State.

In the first half of the game, the Fox commentators talked about how Ohio State was controlling the pace and style of

the game. Michigan, especially in its opening drives, seemed confused and disorganized. But the Wolverines kept the

score close as they headed for the locker room.

The second half was a complete turn-around. By the end of the game, it seemed as if Michigan was scoring at will and it

was the Buckeyes who looked like a completely different team than the one who played the first two quarters. The same

commentators mentioned that Michigan was now controlling the tempo.

I am not a fanatical sports fan, but I do enjoy watching sports of all kinds. As you may know, I spend time at both Crew

Stadiums as an “Experience Team” member. While I don’t get to watch a whole lot of the matches, I do see bits and

pieces of a lot of them. This past season, it seemed, especially at the end of the 90 minutes of play, the Crew seemed

very similar to Ohio State at the end of their game.

When I watch sporting events it always seems as if the team that is dominating the field of play is being proactive in how

the game is being conducted. The other team reacts. They are always on their heels trying to anticipate what their

opponents are doing rather than taking it into their own hands. Of course, many games and matches turn can turn on a

dime. The momentum switches. The previously proactive team reacts and the team that was reacting now takes control.

Unfortunately, this did not happen in Ohio Stadium last weekend!

As we prepare (already!) for the second week of Advent, it is a good time to take stock of our relationship with God. The

season of Advent is meant to be a preparation for the birth of Christ, as a commemoration of that day in Bethlehem

where He was physically born as well as that opportunity to celebrate His real presence in us and in the Precious Host

and Blood.

Many of us are proactive about the “season” of Christmas. How many already have their decorations up and presents

purchased? We don’t want to have to react to Christmas Eve or Christmas morning unprepared for the expectations of

family get-togethers and the exchanging of gifts.

But this preparation, this proactiveness of being ready for the Christmas holiday leaves us little room for Advent. Are we

proactive in our spiritual preparation as we watch each candle on the Advent wreath be lit? Do we take advantage of the

Advent Penance Services offered to be proactive about having a cleansed heart to receive the Christ Child?

Christmas Eve arrives. We go to Church that evening or on Christmas morning. Of course, this is important. The pews are

always filled this time of year, but that event is surrounded by everything else. Don’t get me wrong. Everything else,

especially sharing time and love with family and friends is important. Christ’s presence is real in the giving of presents to

our loved ones. But are we ready to fully comprehend and accept the miracle of Christ becoming man?

This year, I will try to think of the days leading up to December 24th as the Season of Advent rather than Christmas. I will

try to be proactive about my prayer life and spiritual preparation so that when the day comes, my heart and soul is really

ready to receive Him. Then, when I am gathered with my family and am in the middle of the chaos, confusion, and joy of

the Christmas celebration, I can offer that much more to all, and I can seem much more clearly that Jesus Christ, born in

a manger all those years ago, is still very much alive in the hearts of everyone!

Merry Advent!



Jim Silcott