Somebody once said, “There are two things we cannot escape in life — paying taxes and dying.”

The first is certainly not true because we know too well that there are tax evaders. But with death, that’s a hundred-percent certainty. And, most often, we do not know when it happens.

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The first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the Church's liturgical calendar. And the call is “be watchful;” “be alert. You do not know when the Lord of the house will come. He may find you sleeping” (Mark 13, 35).

It does not mean that we are literally in a state of dormition. That reminds me of that witty remark: “Some are working hard; others are hardly working.” “Waking up” in the gospel means rising from spiritual slumber and laziness. In short, it is a call for renewal.

As we enter the Church's new year, we would do well to pause and ponder where our life is heading to. Am I making any spiritual progress or am I retrogressing? Or, making a change for the better or worse?

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I came across a story about an escaped convict from Devil’s Island, the penal colony off the French Guiana coast. The man was sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with a murder in Marseilles.

While in prison, he suffered remorse of conscience for his crime and made reparation. Since he was a doctor, he devoted the remaining years of his life to curing the sick in the island.

When he died at 72, several hundred people gathered to pay their last respects to the man who had done so much to heal their physical illnesses.

From a murderer, he became a good man, a healer, and a hero. This true story illustrates how we, too, can rise from our sinfulness and live a worthwhile life. And it happened because the man woke up to the call of renewal from within.

There is no real transformation in society unless there is an inner personal transformation. For whatever is wrong with society is the accumulated result of whatever is wrong with the people who compose it.

Somebody said: There are those who put their multi-millions under the table, the others over table, the third including the table.”

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The word Advent comes from the Latin word “Adventum” which means literally “coming.” May Advent not only refer to the coming of Santa Claus, simple or sumptuous parties and gift-giving, but more especially our coming to the Lord through moral conversion.

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Eucharistic Congress At Pink Sisters. The public is invited to the 34th Eucharistic Congress on Nov. 29, Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Venue: St. Joseph’s Adoration Convent, 71 Hemady Avenue corner 11th St. New Manila, Quezon City.

This year’s theme: “The Eucharist: A Celebration of God’s Creation and Mission” will be expounded by speakers: Rev. Fr. Aris P. Martin, SVD, Rev. Robert B. Manansala, OFM, Most Rev. Raul B. Dael, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Tandag. The recollection will be concluded with a Eucharistic Celebration to be presided by Bishop Rev. Raul B. Dael, DD.

For inquiries, text or call the Secretariat: 0927-366-4116 orPink Sisters Convent (02) 722-8828. The Eucharistic Congress is sponsored by the Eucharistic Adorers’ League of the Pink Sisters headed by Mona Lacanlale.