By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Writer While celebrating Mass on the First Sunday of Advent in a church that was nearly destroyed during World War II, Pope Benedict XVI reflected on the Advent message of hope, calling all Christians to partake of this “privileged time.” "'Come Lord Jesus!'” the Pope exclaimed during the homily in the Roman Basilica of San Lorenzo on the 1750th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Lawrence. “This ardent invocation of the early Christian community must also become our constant aspiration, the aspiration of the Church in all ages which longs and prepares for the meeting with her Lord: 'Come today, Lord, help us, enlighten us, give us peace, help us to overcome violence, come Lord, we pray in these weeks, Lord bring Your face to shine and we will be saved'." In his homily the Holy Father spoke of the significance of Advent, explaining that "it means remembering the first coming of the Lord in the flesh, with our minds on His definitive return; at the same time, it means recognising that Christ is present among us and is our travelling companion in the life of the Church which celebrates His mystery."   "In this perspective Advent becomes for all Christians a time of expectation and hope, a privileged time in which to listen and reflect, allowing ourselves to be guided by the liturgy which invites us to go out towards the Lord Who comes." He went on to mention the violent bombardment of the city of Rome which took place on July 19, 1943, that “inflicted grave damage to the building and to the entire neighbourhood, spreading death and destruction,” he said. “History will never forget the indelible memory of the generous act undertaken on that occasion by my venerated predecessor, Pius XII, who immediately set out to save and console the hard-hit people among the smouldering ruins.”   Later in the day, while celebrating vespers in the Vatican Basilica, the Pope continued his Advent reflections. "Advent is, par excellence, the spiritual season of hope. During that time the entire Church is called to become hope, for herself and for the world,” he said. “The cry of hope of Advent expresses, then, ... all the gravity of our condition, our extreme need for salvation. Which is to say that we await the Lord not as some beautiful decoration to a world already saved, but as the only way of liberation from mortal danger." © All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly/Women of Grace. http://www.womenofgrace.com