JOURNEY THROUGH ADVENT (2)

JOURNEY THROUGH ADVENT (2)

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.

Be in your prayer space, follow the usual steps and settle into silence.

Sit still…..Relax…….Do not rush………

Take a couple of gentle, slow and deep breaths…becoming aware of your breath going in and out… stay focused on this breath of life……You are breathing in the breath of life, the gift of God….breathe in all that is of God and from God and breathe out all that is not of God and from God……

Now I invite you to consecrate this day and all that come with this day….in your own way, in humble, simple, may be even inadequate words………..

Now from the depth of your heart begin to wish your mind well……….

Gently, prayerfully reflect on the following thoughts:

The spirit of advent is a spirit of joy, of hope, of love, of gifting, of giving, of sharing, of preparing, of praying, of celebrating, etc. Signs of this spirit are all around us. Homes and shopping centers are decorated and Christmas music has begun to fill the air. As the pace of this season picks up, allow your senses to capture the spirit of Advent.

Look at the lights – all kinds of lights – see the beauty and the glory of the lights. Let the lights
remind you of God’s eternal word “Let there be light” and the command of Jesus, “You are the light of the world”.

Listen to the Christmas music, listen to the sound of the crowd in the shopping centers, listen to all kinds of sounds. Let the

sound you hear remind you of the cry of your children, the cry of the poor and the oppressed, the cry of the people for

peace….much more, the ancient praises of God, and the call of God that many have heard and responded joyfully.

This time of the year we hear Bible readings and sermons about the birth of Jesus. We hear all kinds of music, hymns, songs

about the birth of Jesus. In all this, let us hear words of God’s love. And let us speak words of God’s love.

We smell all kinds of food – cookies, cakes, pies, breads, pastries – all kinds of goodies. People do more baking at this time of

the year and do more sharing at this time. Let the smell and all the sharing spirit remind us of God’s compassionate love,

God’s mindfulness, God’s gift of Jesus and God’s gift of His Holy Spirit abiding in us..

People do more touching during this time – a hug, an embrace, a letter, a phone call, a gift, a kind word – so many ways of

touching others. Let every touch remind us of the loving touch of God. We have been touched by God. We have changed

because He has touched us. Let us learn to touch each other with His love. Let us allow our touch to be blessing, healing,

empowering, encouraging, supportive – life-giving.

This year our Sunday Scripture readings are from “cycle C” of the Lectionary. Thoughts of “justice and peace” permeate the Scripture readings of the four Sundays of Advent. Jeremiah, Baruch, Zephaniah and Micah call us to live a life of justice and peace.

The first Sunday of Advent reminds us of the prophesy of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 33:14-16):

God will raise a “just shoot” in the line of David, who will restore God’s people and who will establish justice and peace for all. Jesus came proclaiming “justice and peace” for all. We continue his mission…we dream of justice and peace…we work for justice and peace…and we live in justice and peace.

On the second Sunday, we listen to Baruch encouraging his readers to remain faithful to their sacred heritage and traditions (Baruch 5:1-9): God will bring all dispersed people home and their homecoming will happen “by the light of his glory and with his mercy and justice for company”.

On the third Sunday, we hear Zephaniah (Zephaniah 3:14-18) calling the humble and the lowly remnant of Israel to rejoice. He assures us: God himself will rejoice and “sing joyfully as one sings at festivals”, says the Prophet. Let us rejoice with our God during this season of Advent because “God is in our midst”.

On the fourth Sunday, Micah promises God’s justice tempered with God’s steadfast love. Despite the sinfulness of God’s people, God would send a ruler to shepherd his people because of his steadfast love and faithfulness. (Micah 5:1-4)

The season of Advent calls us to live a life of justice and peace which are integral parts of the reign of God. There is an urgency in our world for justice and peace. During this season of Advent let us keep this urgency in our minds, hearts and prayer.

The second readings of the four Sundays call us to be prepared and be ready to meet the Lord when he comes. On the first Sunday, we listen to Paul teaching the Thessalonian community to “live lovingly and blamelessly” as the way to prepare for the Lord’s coming (I Thessalonians 3:12-4:2). On the second Sunday we read about Paul encouraging the Philippian community to let their love mature, “ripen”. He prayed for them, “that your love may increase ever more…….that you may be pure and blameless….filled with the fruits of righteousness…..” (Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11)

On the third Sunday, we listen to Paul encouraging his readers and us today not waste time fretting or worrying. Instead, channel all energies into prayer, with gratitude. Paul says that those who call upon God in grateful prayer, will be empowered to endure anxiety……they will know God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding. This is the reason for rejoicing. (Philippians 4:4-7). On the fourth Sunday, the author of the letter to the Hebrews reminds us that God prepared Jesus and sent him to do what all the Jewish rituals could not accomplish and Jesus accomplished it through his saving sacrifice in obedience to the Father’s will. In this obedience we and the whole world are redeemed and sanctified. This is the reason for the joy of the season.

Reflect on the saving sacrifice of Jesus! Reflect on your call to let your life become loving, caring, giving and self-sacrificing.

Pray for each other: “may your love increase ever more….may you live blameless lives and be filled with fruits of justice”.

The Gospel readings of the four Sundays are from Luke. Luke tells us how Jesus encouraged the disciples to stand strong, alert, awake and continue to fulfill his mission in all situations. God will break in at the least expected moment, through least expected events, people and situations. So it is urgent to stay awake, alert and prepared. Jesus said to them, “Pray constantly for strength…” (Luke 21:25-28; 34-36).

On the second Sunday, we hear John the Baptist calling his people to fill what needed to be filled, level what needed to be leveled, make straight what was crooked and make smooth what was rough in their lives (Luke 3:1-5).Today, we are challenged to change what need to be changed and bring about a transformation of our life in Christ.

On the third Sunday, we hear John the Baptist challenging his listeners to repent and prepare the way for the Lord. John asked them to be faithful to who and what they were, to be faithful to their responsibilities as the way of preparing for the advent of the Lord. Do not abuse your privileges, do not abuse those you serve, give yourself in service – Be good and be faithful. Do your duties well. (Luke 3:10-18)

On the fourth Sunday, we read about Mary’s visit to Elizabeth bringing much joy and comfort and courage. (Luke 1:39-45). They truly became a source of blessing and Grace for each other as they shared how God was working through them and through the new lives they were nurturing within them.

Mary reached out to her cousin in need. Reflect on reaching out to others, even beyond personal concerns and needs.

Mary stirred up life in Elizabeth. “The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby stirred in my womb for joy”, said Elizabeth. Reflect on stirring up life in other.

Be alert and awake and be prepared to continue to fulfill the mission of Jesus in proclaiming the kingdom of justice and peace for all.
Justice means right relationship with all and peace is harmony in the universe, which results from right relationship.

Pray for each other: “may your love increase ever more….may you live blameless lives and be filled with fruits of justice”.

Fr. Gus Tharappel,msfs