An Hour of Reflection with Rev Fr Carlo Velardo SDB

“Maranatha: Come, Lord Jesus”.

On 9th December 2023, Rev Fr Carlo Velardo SDB, Magistral Chaplain of the Order of Malta in Thailand, led members and friends in an online Advent reflection upon “Maranatha: Come, Lord Jesus”.

This link provides the audio and video recordings of Fr Carlo’s reflection:

Reflection with Fr Carlo Velardo – 9 Dec 2023

Fr Carlo illuminated two different ways Time can be counted: chronological (Chronos), divided into days, months, years, or through the Seasons of the Liturgical Year, highlighting the constant presence of God among us (Kairos).

Fr Carlo shared theological insight into the historical development of the Liturgical Seasons. The need for spiritual preparation emerges as recurring, Advent to Christmas, Lent to Easter, Easter to Pentecost.

We are encouraged to reflect upon how our Order’s patron Saint John the Baptist dedicated his life to ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’ (Mark 1:3).

As Advent invites us to prepare for the first coming of Christ’s birth, Fr Carlo implores us to also look towards the Second Coming, the Aramaic māranā thā, heralding, “Oh Lord, come!”.

Here we are challenged to discern, how do we invite Christ to come into our daily lives?

Fr Carlo shared about his ministry for over 35 years, welcoming, working for and with visually impaired young adults in Thailand. He reflected on his experiences with Buddhist youth impacted by blindness. Reaching across belief systems, listening becomes as important as talking.

The Latin motto “lex orandi, lex credendi”, reminds us how prayer and belief are best intertwined.

Spiritual preparation requires perseverance. An increasingly secular zeitgeist seeks to marginalise Christ through the consumerism of X-Mas. Through serving people in need, we are called to focus upon nurturing a mutual encounter with Christ.

To embrace the hope of the Second Coming. Maranatha.

All members, candidates, volunteers, family, and friends are welcome to share the monthly formation series, “An Hour of Reflection with a Chaplain” of the Order of Malta.