Anticipating the Advent of our God

As I began to think of Advent I could hear ringing in my ears, “Not same old . . . make a difference this year.” But what difference will I, could I make?

Anticipating an event can be a most rich part of living. Imagine the happy wonderings and planning of an expectant mother and father in the nine months of gestation. Notice the loving anticipation of a bride and groom in the time prior to their wedding. We wonder what emotions passed through the hearts of Mary and Joseph as they awaited their child, and questioned the specialness of this event as they have been told by messangers of God.

Each church year we take time to anticipate the advent of our God. Advent and Christmas are truly times for personal reflection and deep meditation within our hearts.

Sister Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ reminds us that eventually the early Christian community confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed one, the one anointed by the Spirit.

“Through his human history the Spirit who pervades the universe becomes concretely present in a small bit of it; . . . the Shekinah (one who dwells) dwells among the suffering people in a new way. In a word, Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us”

Johnson goes on to say that this is profoundly good news for persons who are poor, denigrated, oppressed, struggling, victimized and questing for life and the fullness of life. Under the influence of this same Spirit, disciples of Jesus continue to keep alive this dangerous memory of his life, death and resurrections. (She Who Is, p. 150)

Making a difference this Advent:

• I will try to carry out one simple, loving act of mercy every day
• I will let “light” – daylight, a candle remind me of the Light living among us, Shekinah
• I will choose an Advent biblical figure, Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, lowly shepherds and accompany her/him/them during Advent in anticipation of Jesus’ birth.

How will you make a difference as you live this Advent?

Betty Berrigan, CSJ

Being Hoped-Filled

It is a challenge to be hopeful these days! We seem to be surrounded by stories of tragedy, violence, ecological devastation, poverty and pessimism, to name just a few. At the same time, there is love and birth and joy around us as well.

Once again, as it was for Charles Dickens in nineteenth century England, “It is the best of times, and it is the worst of times.” The main thing about our time is simply that it is OUR time, our moment of grace, our now, right where we are; and so it is our time to be hope-filled.

Hope is a gift of the Holy Spirit of God, and it lies deep within us, waiting to be activated. In spite of popular misconceptions, hope has little to do with happy outcomes, the absence of problems, the coming of better times, even the achievement of peace and justice in the world. Christian hope is about knowing that we are one with the Holy One, and therefore with all others of creation too.

As I say this, I’m reminded of a little poem by Wendell Berry:

The incarnate Word is with us,

Is still speaking, is present

Always, yet leaves no sign

But everything that is.

Reprinted with permission courtesy of Dolores Hall
Spiritual Director at Providence Spirituality Centre www.spiritualitycentre.ca

A Conversation with Myself

How can I be my best self? How can I find my purpose in life as I grow older? All transformation is a shift in the conversation. What is it that moves a person to chart a new course? The HERO is within each of us! Listen! Am I being my best self, have I a sense of belonging? Can I forgive myself enough to change, to transform?

Faith like love isn’t something that IS, it is something we do each day. Faith is active! The gift of God is within each one of us, with self-discipline and love we see our belief grow as we engage in the work God asks of us. Sometimes a miracle is as small as a homeless man getting a meal at the Soup Kitchen, or an unexpected compliment to brighten one’s day. Maybe it’s simply being present or sharing your beautiful smile, or simply walking with the elderly at their pace, arm-in-arm with someone who is 87 or maybe 99!

Miracles do happen when we choose to reach out and do more than simply what we ought to do.

Simone Batte, csj

A Time for Thankful Hearts

This is by far my favourite time of year. These days surrounding Thanksgiving Day have a way of surfacing within me the words,

“There is an endless song
that echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring…
How can I keep from singing?”

As we sit before our feasts of plenty may we be mindful of the Goodness of God that touches us in so many ways. May the richness of God’s bounty that we continuously experience fill us with gratitude and openness of heart. May gratitude help us to embody the words I first heard at my Grandma Wales’ table.

For what we are about to receive
may we be truly thankful
and keep us always mindful of the needs of others. 

I invite you to view and reflect on this PowerPoint Presentation, based on words of Joyce Rupp, which offer a fitting prayer of blessing.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Nancy Wales, CSJ

Easter Musings

In spite of all the Alleluias this Easter season, do you sometimes find your faith tested and your heart heavy?  Daily we hear in the media another item added to a universal litany of woes:  terrorist attacks in Paris and Belgium, insufficient responsible action being taken on the urgent environmental and social challenges facing the world, inhumane conditions on Aboriginal reserves, helpless immigrants fleeing war and certain death in their countries, concerns about Canada’s assisted suicide decision and the list continues.

As a teenager in the ‘60s with its flower children, opposition to the Vietnam War and valiant efforts of the Peace Corps etc., I truly believed that our generation could make the world a place where peace, love, equality and justice would reign.  I have often lamented about the sad state of our common home today and its failure to realize our lofty dreams.

Now, fifty years later, with persistence in centering prayer, contemplative living and a growing shift in consciousness, I find myself better able to come to terms with the world as it is. I strive to work for peace in my own sphere of life and to not lose heart.  My enhanced view of the world allows me to see seeds of hope being sown in our dear world at the same time as we come face to face with global violence and conflict.  The clash of armies and cultures will eventually lead to laying down arms and seeking peace.

In my Easter musings, I have been inspired by the age old message of the Pascal Mystery.  Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection are a model for seeing the troubled state of the world with fresh eyes. Recall Jesus’ words to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, “Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and then to enter his glory?” (Luke 24.26)

Following the November terrorist attacks in Paris, Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois urged his people, “May no one allow himself to be defeated by panic and hatred”.  In a similar vein, the words of St. Pope John Paul II encourage us:  “Do not abandon yourselves to despair.  We are Easter people and halleluiah is our song”.

Yes, deep in my heart I do believe that we shall overcome some day.

Jean Moylan, CSJ