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Prayers and Reflections
Advent
During Advent we will hear the prophets calling us to heed the signs of the coming Messiah. As we approach this season we would like to invite you to begin a process of readings and reflection in preparation for the great feast of the Incarnation. We hope this will be a source of enrichment when all around us there is a call to secular celebrations. THEME We are called to read the signs of the times with the eyes of God and with compassionate hearts. The Word of God calls us to seek a prophetic response to the challenges we have seen and cries we have heard. These challenges and cries are represented by the five realities below … realities audible and visible to all who have ears to hear and eyes to see ...
Each one of us has the power to renew the face of the earth generating hope and life for all through a prophetic response. INVITATION The four Advent reflections invite you to engage in ongoing dialogue between the Word of God and life as you live it where you are today. What each person sees and hears in the world around them depends on an ability to be immersed in our own world as Jesus was immersed in his. The challenge is to look closely at how Jesus defined his mission as that of ensuring that all may have life … life in abundance (cf John 10:10). We are invited is to make this year’s Advent a journey with a difference, a journey that calls us to go beyond “taken-for-granted” ways of looking at life.
Week 1A Watchful Eye
Isaiah 2:1-5 Come that he may teach us his ways. Walk in the light. Rom 13:11-14 The time has come. You must wake up now. Matt 24:37-44 He is coming … at an hour you least expect. Invitation: Advent is a time when we are invited to look more deeply … to detect those hints and signals God uses to lead us to fullness of life. Prophets see not only what is far off but also what is close at hand. They expect that God is active in the here and now so they recognise His actions. Look with new lenses at your situation in your family, community, neighbourhood, parish, world … identify where God is at work. God spoke through the prophets … you are his prophet today. Dare to move “outside” your ordinary box. Advent reminds us that Jesus is born “outside”. To keep watch for Christ is to exercise our faculties of contemplation, to be visionaries, seers of possibilities for creating peace right where we are. Otherwise we have nothing to stand on but the culture’s blindness and violence. Break down barriers of sameness or scepticism, walls of fear or insecurity obstructing a view to fullness of life. Look around you. Watch carefully. Identify the challenges. Reflection: What are you seeing that needs change? What excites and energizes you to new possibilities? Are there blocks or fears that blur your vision from seeing the world around you? Choose at least one of the signs of the present time - represented in the five social realities mentioned in the introduction – that beckons you to reach out in this Advent season? Identify opportunities where you could speak out or act to create change … to join with others to make a difference on matters of importance? How can you personally make a difference? The Messiah is among you!
Week 2Prophetic Voices
Isaiah 11:1-10 The country is filled with the knowledge of the Lord. Romans 15:4-9 Live in perfect harmony, be accepting, reconcile with all. Matthew 3:1-12 Hear John’s voice in the wilderness – a threat to the powerful. John the Baptist was not the Word but because he was a voice which echoed the Word he was able to direct people towards the Word who is life. Who are the voices seeking your attention? Consider how these voices affect your thinking and your actions: Voices They can be whispers, barely audible, or angry shouts. We are bombarded with opinions, words, theories, emotional cries. Some voices bring gossip, some bring truth. You can be a sponge or a sieve … the invitation of Advent is Stay Awake! … Remain alert! … Listen! ☼ Quiet time all help us to become aware of how our values are affected and of our response in today’s world. Identify the negative voices affecting your life and the lives of those around you. Who is speaking with words of wisdom and insight, counsel and understanding? Reflection: How good a listener or observer do you judge yourself to be? Are there voices you pay more heed to while others get switched
off? How do you attempt to address the issues of our day … issues that affect our daily lives, our community, our workplace, our region or local parish? Do you actually make any attempt to address issues? Which of the three seeds in the introductory graphic are you? We are bombarded with values and visions from secular sources … how do the Word of God and our Franciscan values shape the choices you make? What is God asking of you?
Week 3Sign of Contradiction
Isaiah 35:1-6 The desert blooms, blind eyes are opened, deaf ears unsealed. James 5:7-10 The farmer patiently waits. Do not lose heart! Matthew 11:2-11 From prison John asks, “Are you the one to come or shall we look for another?” What is demanding attention in today’s world? We are in a transition time. Like it or not you are a prophet teaching through your life yesterday, today, tomorrow! There can be regrets of what we have left behind or grumblings tempting us to give up, but the call is still there to be a sign of contradiction preparing the way. Even from his prison John the Baptist himself had doubts, and yet Jesus assures him and praises him to others, “What did you go out to see? A reed swaying in the wind? People dressed in fine clothes?” Jesus gives the answer: “No, a prophet and much more, my messenger!” Reflection: Look around your own neighbourhood, household, family, workplace, community. Which
of the five challenges are there? How willing are you to go against the flow in your choices? Have you the energy and boldness to walk up the down staircase? What word of Jesus, what action of Francis or Clare beckons you to take courage, stand up and be a sign of contradiction for others today? When you think of bringing new life that reflects the teachings of Jesus, identify at least one challenge you are willing to embrace. Is there a border – social, cultural, relational - you need to cross? This is the acceptable time! Courage, do not fear!
Week 4God's Dream for our World
Isaiah 7:10-14 The sign is this: the maiden is with child. Rom 1:1-7 The news is about the Son of God. May God send grace and peace. Matt 1:18-24 Joseph has a dream and is told of a virginal conception. Despite the struggle, Joseph said “Yes” to what the Lord was proposing. Both Mary and Joseph knew the smile of God upon them for they were part of God’s dream for the world. In Greccio Francis joined with the laity and re-enacted that first Christmas scene. The coming feast of Christmas reminds us that we too are part of the dream’s fulfilment. Rooted in the Gospel vision of God’s reign of peace, Christianity and Franciscanism embody an alternative vision of how to live and relate. By helping to transform persons, groups, cultures, societies, and the earth itself Franciscans throughout the world can enable God’s dream to become a reality. Emmanuel, God-with-us, with you, will enable you to make your contribution to the transformation of the world. Transformation of the world is our mission Reflection:
Settle on one concrete action that you can
initiate. Bring Good News – Bring Jesus!
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Readings
Readings
As Franciscans we claim to believe in the power of God at
work in littleness and powerlessness. Despite the world’s logic,
the powerless and simple got the message first. It was the Shepherds
in the fields who heard the angels sing and received the message
that Jesus was born right there in their humble place.