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Advent 2025: Maranatha 鈥� Come, Lord Jesus
Advent invites us into a sacred season of anticipation鈥攐f watching, waiting, and hoping for the coming of Christ. This year, our journey is shaped by the ancient prayer 鈥淢补谤补苍补迟丑补,鈥� a Greek expression meaning Come, Lord Jesus. More than a word, Maranatha is a plea, a promise, and a posture of the heart.
To pray Maranatha is to call upon Christ to come鈥攖o come into our world today with healing and justice, to come into our hearts with peace and renewal, and to come again in the fullness of His glory. It is a cry of hope for the future and a reminder to live each day in readiness for His return.
This prayer also turns our hearts toward gratitude. As we prepare for Christmas and remember Christ鈥檚 first coming in Bethlehem, Maranatha invites us to recognize where the Lord has already been at work in our lives. It encourages us to look back with thanksgiving, look inward with openness, and look forward with expectant hope.
As you enter into these Advent reflections, may this simple yet profound prayer guide your steps. May it awaken in you a longing for God鈥檚 presence and inspire you to help bring about the Kingdom of God here and now鈥攅ven as we await its fullness.
Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus.
By Monica Markovich, Executive Vice President and CFO
Waiting can be really hard.
Whether it is for something good 鈥� such as Christmas, Christmas break, a new child, or a new transition 鈥� or something harder such as for test results, health news, or the unknown. We often find our minds drawing toward anticipating the next things 鈥� whether they be good or bad. If we are anticipating something good, we might even long for it and wish for it to come sooner. If we are anticipating something more challenging, we might be filled with anxiety, fear, or dread. But all of that distracts us from what is happening right now, in the present moment with the present realities. It is exactly here, now, where we meet the Lord.
In 2021 I had the severe mercy of learning this through the surprise pregnancy and then devastating still birth of our 4th child, Tobias Maximilian. At 18 weeks pregnant we were shocked to learn this pregnancy was very dangerous for me, and only two weeks later to learn that Toby was also quite sick, and there was a chance that the pregnancy might not end well for either or both of us. Six weeks later, I delivered Toby into his eternal life. During those weeks, I learned to practice living in the present in a new way. I could not wish away the aches, the fear, the next appointment by wishing for the next day, because I did not know what the next day could hold for either of us. All I knew was that Toby and I had that day to meet Christ and to be Christ to others around us.
This is I think part of what Christ means when he says 鈥淭herefore, stay awake!鈥� He will be in the future, but He is in the present and is asking us to be here too. We are not only preparing for Christ to come at Christmas, or for Christ鈥檚 second coming 鈥� but for Christ to come here, now, in this present moment and present day into our hearts wherever they are 鈥� to meet Christ in others, and to let them meet Him in us. Spaces of encounter can only happen when we are present to the moment. Do not let yourself be tempted to dream of another day or time, for it is today that He has given us to do His work of loving one another and letting ourselves be loved. Stay awake today, and encounter Christ.
By Samantha Derksen
The words “Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus” serve as a crucial spiritual reminder to resist complacency in the routines of everyday life – a challenge I keenly feel as a mother of two children under two, navigating the whirlwind of their schedules. The request to write this reflection truly felt like a spiritual alarm clock set by my colleagues urging me to “wake up!” because Advent is once again upon us.
Advent is meant to be a season of spiritual longing, but for the past four months my spiritual life has largely felt like a continuous act of sacrifice. Attending Sunday Mass as a family is a significant undertaking primarily because our toddler, Julia, prefers to run and play. My husband and I want her to be present with the community, which translates to a strict “no food, no loud toys” policy and the two of us relying instead on quiet Catholic children鈥檚 books and her little chewable rosary for engagement. Inevitably, one of us ends up standing in the back of the church, holding her while reciting silent prayers and hoping to find just a moment of peace.
Recently, after a particularly challenging Mass, as I was putting on Julia’s coat a mother with older children sitting behind us (whose children had kindly waved at and entertained my daughter during the Mass) took a moment to thank me for bringing my family to church. She expressed gratitude for our commitment and the sharing of that special time. Her kindness truly melted my heart.
That brief interaction was a gentle but profound reminder of the deeper significance behind bringing my daughters to Mass: it is not just a weekly commitment, but an intentional way of welcoming them into a vibrant community of believers. While the experience is sometimes demanding, I found deep comfort in the realization that countless parents and mothers before me have navigated similar struggles. Now their grown children are the ones attending Mass, often with their own children in tow, continuing the legacy of faith. This small moment affirmed the hope of the present and what is to come: “Come Lord Jesus.”
Being surrounded by peers, faculty, and staff in the Holy Cross community who are also striving to live out their faith creates a powerful “community of hope.” This shared journey and mutual support help in maintaining a vigilant and hopeful spirit, reminding me that I am part of a larger body of believers waiting for the fulfillment of God鈥檚 promises. The structure of this community provides constant reminders to “stay awake” and be prepared, ensuring that the true meaning of Advent, waiting in hope for the Lord’s coming, remains at the heart of the season.
By Jake Conn, ’27
When I hear Come Lord Jesus, I think of peace.
Peace of mind from the world that we live in and peace inside. When college and life seems to take place into so much of our lives, it gets quite busy to the point of not even being able to hear yourself. When you just hear yourself you hear the world. When you listen to God you hear the Holy Spirit and how he tries to cleanse your heart and mind. This leads me to prayer, when I hear Him- it draws me to be with him more because that is true inner peace.
When I pray for God to come into my life for Advent, I pray for him to help me make sacrifices, other people around me, and for the deeper needs of the world. Because living a selfless life requires to give oneself fully like Jesus did, and to live like Jesus is living life to the fullest.
Being part of Holy Cross deepens this mission by offering things like Rosary, night and morning prayer, mass and other various events. Being able to be surrounded by such a community has helped me get deeper in Faith and contributing to God’s mission.
I love that I can share my Faith and love for him freely at Holy Cross, it is one of the most beautiful things about this college and has made Advent so much better in my college years.
The Gospel for this past Sunday includes a phrase that makes me smile despite the apocalyptic backdrop of Christ鈥檚 second coming: 鈥渢hey were鈥� marrying and giving in marriage.鈥� Having just gotten married in August, I can relate to the Gospel in a new way and, more importantly, should be preparing for Christ鈥檚 second coming as we are still marrying and being given in marriage! Thankfully, that鈥檚 what Advent is for: preparation, hope, and waiting 鈥� an intentional slowing down.
Last week鈥檚 Thanksgiving holiday was the first with my new family which meant new traditions, long drives to and from Texas, staying purposeful to my wife and I鈥檚 collective prayer times and Mass attendance, and adjusting to a different pace and environment that鈥檒l be carried through at least the next season of my life as we continue to alternate where we go for holidays. In the midst of the trip to Texas, we took a trip downtown on Friday where the holiday festivities were in full swing for Christmas. Santa was available for pictures, Christmas music was on in the shops, Christmas lights were out and about for viewing, and people were already wishing each other a Merry Christmas. Having not even reached the Advent season 鈥� it certainly seemed like we were already speeding up past the preparation and jumping straight to Christmas!
On the drive back up, I asked my wife, Elyse, what she would like to do for Advent this year, and we talked about the intentional steps we could take to prepare for Christmas including adding back prayer practices, limiting screen time, and postponing desserts among others. They鈥檙e small sacrifices meant to build us up, slow us down, and prepare for the joy that鈥檚 to come at Christmas.
Juan Maldonado
Associate Director of Academic Advising Operations
By Matt Palmer
鈥淪o too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
Anyone who has little children will tell you that when they have their eyes fixed on a particular day, it鈥檚 hard for them to think of anything else. Ever since October, our five-year-old son has been asking a variation of the same question.
鈥淗ow many days until Halloween?鈥�
鈥淗ow many days until Thanksgiving?鈥�
鈥淗ow many days until Christmas?鈥�
Providing that answer when children have little concept of time can feel frustrating. The answer doesn鈥檛 change every five minutes, but that doesn鈥檛 stop them from asking. And no answer is ever truly satisfying.
Here鈥檚 the reality: adults are just as bad at this.
Waiting, Tom Petty sang, is the hardest part. We live in a culture of instant gratification and time management. We can order dinner to be delivered when we want it, cut ahead in line at Disney World with a lightning pass, stream a show exactly when we want to watch it, curate the perfect playlist for a shower, and have Amazon drop off a package at just the 鈥減erfect鈥� time.
Everything is on our time. When it鈥檚 not, just like a five-year-old, we are discouraged by the idea that the answer is 鈥渘ot now.鈥�
But, soon and very soon, something better is ahead. We have to trust in God鈥檚 mercy and God鈥檚 time.
Come, Lord Jesus! This easily slides from our lips, but how often do we truly mean it? We who are afraid to talk about death are not thrilled about the thought of the second coming, but this is a mindset that we ought to change.
Death is nothing to fear; the end is nothing to fear. We must prepare, and if we do this, then we will never fear. We will have an intense hope that will permeate our entire life.
Questions arise. How do I prepare? How do I ready myself intentionally in a society that is so instantaneous?
Indeed, our whole life ought to be a preparation. We live well so that we might die well and in the state of grace. This life takes intentionality that is taxing, but think of it, the reward is eternal, and we are doing it for a God of love.
Every day I have the opportunity to prepare myself for His coming. He comes to me in the Eucharist every time I come to Him in the Holy Mass. 鈥淏ehold the Lamb of God…I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. Amen.鈥� Then, He is with me. He is in me, and all the preparation seems worth any inconvenience it may be.
This preparation is a way of life. It means doing radical things for the Lord, always. It means being virtuous no matter the cost. It means sacrifice. It means truth. It means charity. It means 鈥渟tay awake鈥� (Matt. 24:42).
This preparation is very joyful and life-giving and fun. 鈥淟ife with Christ is a wonderful adventure,鈥� (JPII) and I hope that you get to experience this on a profoundly personal level during this Advent Season. Grow in intentionality of prayer so that you know the God of love whom you serve and so that you may welcome Him with a heart that truly is prepared to be His home this Christmas.
Come, Lord Jesus! This time I say it with conviction for this posture is the best way to prepare for His coming at Christmas and at the End.
– Elizabeth Pratt
As the first week of Advent gets going, the phrase 鈥淢aranatha! Come, Lord Jesus鈥� brings up two big memories for me.
First, it takes me straight back to being a kid, when Advent basically felt like a countdown to Christmas morning. With every candle lit on the wreath meant I was one week closer to ripping wrapping paper with the speed and intensity of an Olympic sport. That childlike excitement, that almost-there!
And second鈥� I can鈥檛 help but think of a particular parishioner from my home parish who, for reasons unknown to this day, always ended up sitting behind me during Mass, like a well-meaning liturgical shadow.
And during the song 鈥淢补谤补苍补迟丑补,鈥� this person would absolutely LAUNCH that word into the air. Not just loudly, but heroically loud! Flexing far beyond the limits of what was previously known achievable by any human being to sing off-key鈥� (you know who you are)
But honestly? Even that memory gives me a sense of joyful urgency, this 鈥淗urry! Get ready!鈥� energy that fits Advent perfectly.
In the Gospel for the first Sunday of Advent, Jesus says, 鈥淭herefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.鈥�
Every time I hear those words, they hit me a little differently. I鈥檓 reminded, and yes, often convicted, of how easily I slide into autopilot. You know the mode: when you鈥檙e going through the motions, spiritually half-awake, thinking, 鈥淚鈥檒l pray later鈥� I鈥檒l get serious about putting Jesus first when life calms down鈥� I have time.鈥� Spoiler alert: we don鈥檛 know if we have time.
Any moment could be that moment of encounter with Him. And if that鈥檚 true (and it is), then shouldn鈥檛 we want to be ready? Not in a panicked or frantic way, but in a joyful, expectant way, like those kids who basically vibrate with anticipation because Christmas is coming. That鈥檚 what Advent is supposed to ignite in us: not fear, not pressure, but anticipation for His coming.
So, as we begin this Advent season, let鈥檚 get ready together. Let鈥檚 shake off the autopilot mode, wipe the sleep from our spiritual eyes, and wake up to the moments God is giving us right now. Let鈥檚 stay awake, stay ready, and remain eager, so that whenever the hour comes, we鈥檒l be more than prepared. We鈥檒l be thrilled to go with Him.
And God willing, maybe when we finally do meet Him, He鈥檒l smile and say, 鈥淚 heard that parishioner behind you. They meant well.鈥�
– Andy Rambadt, ’26
Christians have been fascinated by the coming of the Lord since our earliest days. In our collection of letters, epistles, and apocalyptic literature, the Aramaic imperative maranatha (meaning 鈥淟ord, come!鈥�) stands out. It stands out because the New Testament was written and handed down in the Greek Language. Why, then, the inclusion of an Aramaic word?
The phenomenon whereby New Testament authors transliterated words from other languages (e.g., Aramaic and Hebrew) is not a novelty with the word maranatha. But what is a novelty is that it occurs only once throughout the entire New Testament, in the writings of Saint Paul. Writing to the community in Corinth, he issued the following warning: 鈥淚f anyone does not love the Lord, let the one be accursed! Our Lord, come (maranatha)鈥� (1 Cor 16:22). In other words, Paul is linking the coming of the Lord with his judgement of those who refuse to love the Lord that will return soon. In today鈥檚 Gospel, John the Baptist, though not using the word maranatha, appears championing a similar sentiment: 鈥淩epent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!鈥� (Mt 3:2). Just as Paul commanded love of the Lord for those who await his return, so too did John proclaim repentance (metanoia)鈥攁n about-face of one鈥檚 inner thoughts and dispositions of the heart. Such repentance was central to the baptism John preached in anticipation of Jesus鈥檚 public ministry, and it remains just as crucial for us today as it was for Paul鈥檚 community in Corinth鈥攍iving some two decades after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Advent is a time given to us by the Church to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus anew into our lives.
This requires the love to which Paul called the first Christians with the phrase maranatha. Are our hearts ready to love Jesus abundantly when we remember his coming into the world as the little child of Bethlehem? And when we say maranatha, are we ready to welcome to Lord with love when he 鈥渃ome[s] again in glory to judge the living and the dead鈥�?
- Edwin Donnelly, C.S.C.
The ancient prayer of “Marantha, come Lord Jesus鈥� is most fitting for the feast of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As this prayer resonates in our hearts today and throughout Advent while we prepare for the coming of the Lord, we open our hearts to the mystery of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. For centuries, the Church has become increasingly aware that the proclamation of Mary as 鈥渇ull of grace鈥� (Luke 1:28) through an act of God鈥檚 divine providence began at the moment of her conception. In 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed听 the Immaculate Conception of Mary to be a dogma of the Church and a holy day of obligation states that 鈥淭he Most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first instant of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race,听 preserved exempt from all stain of original sin鈥� (Ineffabilis Deus).. In honoring what has been called 鈥渢his happy moment in which began, in the womb of the most pious Anne, the life of the ever-glorious Virgin Mary, the faith of the Church upholds the truth that the very instant when God united the soul of Mary which he created, to the body which it was to animate, this ever-blessed soul did not contract the stain, which at the same stain that defiles every human soul, but was filled with an immeasurable grace which rendered her, from that moment, the mirror of the God鈥檚 sanctity as far as possible to a creature.鈥�1听听
Friends, this is the grace that anchored the Blessed Mother鈥檚 faith in God鈥檚 plan for humanity鈥檚 redemption and prepared the freedom of her will to say 鈥測es鈥� throughout her life.听 In Mary鈥檚 fiat, her willingness to become the mother of God鈥檚 most holy Son and her words to Elizabeth, 鈥淢y soul proclaims the greatest of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. (Luke 1:38, 46-47) exemplifies her faith.听 As we take this sacred pause in this Advent season, we are invited to lift our voices in solemn prayer to growth in Mary鈥檚 faith, one that is freely open to God鈥檚 will. This is a faith that sings, Maranatha, come Lord Jesus, into our hearts, now and at the hour of our death.听
I have prayed the Hail Mary since I was a child.听 It has become my continuous prayer; so much so, that my heart begins the prayer even before my thoughts are consciously aware. It is the prayer that holds me up in the everyday struggles to be remain fully aware of God鈥檚 grace in my life. It is the prayer that leads me to repent of my sinfulness and to ask over and over again for God鈥檚 healing grace.听
I pray, 鈥淗ail Mary, full of grace; blessed are you among women, blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus鈥� asking God for her faith. I have come to recognize that it is Mary鈥檚 faith that prays, 鈥淢aranatha, come Lord Jesus鈥� as our family journeys with our sweet Gracie during her cancer treatments. It is the same faith that animates the medical community to search in every human way possible to discover the treatments that keeps her body and her spirit strong.
When I am overwhelmed by the troubled times we live in, Mary prays in my heart and moves me with her courage to see God鈥檚 reign is present in the people that believe in the movement of Divine providence in their lives. May this blessed community at 海角直播 continue to pray together with the faith of the Immaculate Conception to the God who began to fulfill His promise to save us through her fiat, her faithful 鈥測es鈥� on the journey to the Cross of her Son, Jesus Christ.听
Ave Crux, Spes Unica,
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Dianne Barlas, D.Min.听听VP of Mission and Ministry听听听听听听听听听
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Ever since I was a little girl, Advent has been my favorite liturgical season. I love the music, the candles, the violet and rose colored vestments, and the excitement of Christmas coming just around the corner. One of my favorite traditions is the Advent wreath. My family would put our advent wreath on the dinner table and before every dinner we would light the candles and sing 鈥淥 Come O Come Emanuel.鈥� As we ate and talked, we would let the candles burn. I look forward to this special time with my family every year.
While I still very much delight in the candles and songs of Advent, I have realized there is a deeper part to this season. In Advent we are waiting and preparing for the coming of Christ. This is what John the Baptist tells us in this Sunday鈥檚 Gospel. He tells us to 鈥淧repare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.鈥� This is why we do all the things we do in this time. So, bring on the candles, sing all the songs, and get excited for Christmas to come again.
This is the season to prepare for Jesus to come again. There is an advent hymn I have come to love called 鈥淓鈥檈n so Lord Jesus Quickly Come鈥� and it instructs us to 鈥淩ejoice in heaven, all ye that dwell within. Rejoice on earth, ye saints below, for Christ is coming soon!鈥� Advent is a time for joyful preparation. Jesus wants to celebrate his birthday with you! You, Holy Cross Saint! He longs to be with you. He is standing at the door of your heart, knocking patiently. So, sweep away the dust and cobwebs of your heart, light a candle, prepare a path for Christ through the clutter and let Him in. The King of Kings comes to be with you. Jesus鈥檚 favorite time is when you let Him love you. He wants to rejoice with you. Let Him in.
Mary Appleton
Class of 2028
“Come, Lord Jesus! 听This easily slides from our lips, but how often do we truly mean it? We who are afraid to talk about death are not thrilled about the thought of the second coming, but this is a mindset that we ought to change.
Death is nothing to fear; the end is nothing to fear. 听We must prepare, and if we do this, then we will never fear. 听We will have an intense hope that will permeate our entire life.
Questions arise. 听How do I prepare? How do I ready myself intentionally in a society that is so instantaneous?
Indeed, our whole life ought to be a preparation. 听We live well so that we might die well and in the state of grace. 听This life takes intentionality that is taxing, but think of it, the reward is eternal, and we are doing it for a God of love.
Every day I have the opportunity to prepare myself for His coming. 听He comes to me in the Eucharist every time I come to Him in the Holy Mass. 听鈥淏ehold the Lamb of God…I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. 听Amen.鈥� 听Then, He is with me. 听He is in me, and all the preparation seems worth any inconvenience it may be.
This preparation is a way of life. 听It means doing radical things for the Lord, always. 听It means being virtuous no matter the cost. 听It means sacrifice. 听It means truth. 听It means charity. 听It means 鈥渟tay awake鈥� (Matt. 24:42).
This preparation is very joyful and life-giving and fun. 听鈥淟ife with Christ is a wonderful adventure,鈥� (JPII) and I hope that you get to experience this on a profoundly personal level during this Advent Season. 听Grow in intentionality of prayer so that you know the God of love whom you serve and so that you may welcome Him with a heart that truly is prepared to be His home this Christmas.
Come, Lord Jesus! 听This time I say it with conviction for this posture is the best way to prepare for His coming at Christmas and at the End. “
Elizabeth Pratt
Class of 2028