1983 classmates Brian North and Mike Varisco sit among fellow alumni, current parents, and parents of alumni at the 2018 Evening of Advent Reflection.

Jesuit continued its seasonal effort to enrich the spirituality of the greater school community with the Evening of Advent Reflection led by Fr. Frank Reale, S.J.

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Fr. Frank Reale, S.J., begins his reflection.

Following an opportunity for confessions in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs, Fr. John Brown, S.J. celebrated the Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe before Fr. Reale’s reflection began.

Currently teaching Sacred Scripture to pre-freshmen, Fr. Reale was able to use his vast experience in the Jesuits to reflect on the human condition, waiting, and impatience.

“‘I just can’t wait!’ isn’t a reality for any of us,” explained Fr. Reale. “From the common bloke waiting for the train, to the Queen of England waiting for official business to start,” we all find ourselves looking at our wrist watches as we impatiently anticipate our next important time. But, the “times in between the times” is where God has an opportunity to work His grace. Advent is just such a time, Fr. Reale asserted. He encouraged attendees, through scripture and poetry, to let Advent become for us more than just some lesser form of Lent. Rather, it can be a faithful anticipation of a God who, Himself, entered time and patiently waited for the right time to reveal Himself as Lord.

Fr. Reale connected that incarnational patience with the love of the father in the story of the prodigal son, a father who waited for his son’s return and then impatiently ran out to greet him on the road to welcome him home.

The reflection was followed by light refreshments in St. Ignatius Hall, giving everyone an opportunity to connect with one another.