Morena, (Good morning), to all our PFG Team and friends,
Change is in the air and with that comes some relief so families can reconnect with family and friends. We understand that it has been a very testing time and people are just wanting to get back to how life was. That said, I am not sure what that normal is or will be. The surge in cases in Europe where in many cases, vaccination rates are low and the fact that they are moving to winter means we need to be careful as well. Read the signs that are on offer! We must strive not to become polarized or divided. We are seeking be an accepting and accommodating, community of believers.
As the message of waiting is coupled with, “Stay awake!”
We need to keep looking out for each other and support one another as you have been doing. You have all done so well. May, summer roll on and each of you have a renewed time with family. Treasure it, and be focussed on ‘presence’ rather, than ‘presents’. We have much catching up to do. So enjoy, pray with thanks and enjoy some more.
The theme, as we begin the Season of Advent is “Waiting”. Do you remember as a child waiting for Christmas – it seemed to take forever; it wasn’t as busy and frenetic as today, even with lockdown. We receive a barrage of emails, requests, commercials buy this or that and Facebook has always something to tease the senses. Yet, it was the smells of the Christmas tree that my brothers and sisters trudged in the Lane Cove National Park in Sydney for hours to drag it home and then, set about decorating it. It was a time of memory, celebration, preparation and waiting for what was to come – family, sharing gifts, a sleep in the afternoon, midnight mass and lots of goodies, the annual cricket match, and a big cake to share, from our great ‘Aunt. We were blest and humbled.
Do you remember waiting for the news if you were pregnant or when the birth would be or when some friend or family member was coming over – the air was full of ‘expectation’, ‘joy’ and ‘hope’. These are our four Advent themes (all in red) and they relate very much to ordinary life and in the end we celebrate Emmanuel, “God with us”. This is a well-placed hope built on action, preparedness, the expectation and the joy of coming together.
In our PFG’s, this is the constant challenge to rise above the muck of life with faith, hope and trust that whatever happens, God is with us. Don’t be afraid. Covid is here but our love, compassion, mercy and forgiveness are the antidote to ‘fear – let us work together to be a loving and caring community. We are not perfect but when we can discuss the difficult things and meet in the middle with a compassionate heart then, we are going to move closer to one another. We don’t have to pick sides rather see that we need to work together. Not being dualistic – life is not black and white which is why we need to; “See a lot overlook a great deal, correct a little.” Roncalli(Pope John xxiii)
We are all a bit on tender-hooks but armed with faith and love we can overcome the fear. 365 times the phase “do not be afraid” appears in the bible – some profound wisdom. Each day we need to remind ourselves to wait, put our trust in God. Hope with a loving open heart and we shall receive joy. Like Creation – God is unfolding, forever revealing life, love and a way!
Be kind, take care – Fraternally
Paul
First Sunday of Advent Year C, 28 November 2021
Lectionary readings
First reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 24(25):4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
Second reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:12 – 4:2
Gospel: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Link to readings – click on word ‘link’.
Today marks the beginning of Advent, a time of watchfulness, waiting and renewed hope, as we get ready to welcome the Lord into our hearts and lives this Christmas.
The First Reading focuses our gaze on God’s promise to David to raise up a ‘virtuous branch’. God fulfils that promise by sending his only Son, Jesus, into the world: our Saviour and King in whom we can have total confidence, who rules with honesty and integrity.
The Psalmist recognises the Lord as his Saviour, desiring to follow his ways of truth, love and faithfulness. We too join in the psalm refrain, ‘lifting up our souls’ in prayer, as we wait for the Lord.
Jesus foretells the end times in the rather ominous-sounding Gospel, telling his disciples to ‘stay awake’ and not get distracted by the ‘cares of life’. But he has a message of hope too: we don’t need to be afraid, for we will see the Son of Man coming to save us. God keeps his promises, so we can hold our heads high and stand confident in his presence. Meanwhile we can pray and try to lead good lives.
St Paul tells us how we can do this in the Second Reading. We are to live as Jesus teaches, ‘loving one another and the whole human race’, and putting Jesus and his values at the centre of our daily lives.
This week as I wait for the Lord, I may like to spend some time each day prayerfully taking stock of how ready I am to receive Jesus, however, wherever, and whenever he comes to me.
FIRST READING
Jeremiah 33: 14–16
See, the days are coming – it is the Lord who speaks – when I am going to fulfil the promise I made to the House of Israel and the House of Judah:
‘In those days and at that time, I will make a virtuous Branch grow for David, who shall practise honesty and integrity in the land. In those days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell in confidence. And this is the name the city will be called: the Lord-our-integrity.’
REFLECTION
Coming to my quiet prayer space, I make sure that I am in a comfortable position and begin to settle. I may like to light a candle – perhaps an Advent Candle – then consciously place myself into the Lord’s presence. I take a few moments to notice how I am feeling just now. Maybe there is something I am bringing into my prayer.
Taking several slow deep breaths in and out, I try to relax and let go of any busyness from my day. I can entrust anything that concerns me to the Lord, confident that he will hold it tenderly for now.
When ready, I read and re-read Jeremiah’s words slowly through, noticing where I’m drawn. I invite the Holy Spirit to help me ponder how the passage speaks to me … how it makes me feel.Maybe there is a particular word that stands out for me … promise, virtuous, honesty, integrity, confidence, grow … ? Or something else? I mull it over and think why it’s significant for me.
As I ponder God’s promise, perhaps promises that I myself have made come to mind – and how I have fulfilled them. I know that I can bring any struggles I may have to Jesus, and speak with him heart to heart, perhaps asking for a particular grace I feel would help me. When I am ready, I gently bring my prayer to a close. Glory be …
GOSPEL
Luke 21: 25–28, 34–36
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; people dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.’
‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living being on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’
REFLECTION
After becoming still and aware of the Lord’s presence with me, I invite the Holy Spirit to guide me in my prayer. I then carefully read this very dramatic passage through several times. There is no rush: I can take as long as I like. The words may give me a vivid image of the scene. Perhaps I picture the Son of Man coming in a cloud in glory. How would I feel to see this? … Could I ‘stand erect and hold my head high’? Or would I feel trapped and unready?
Maybe I ponder the ‘cares of my life’ as I reflect over the past year, taking stock, noticing the highlights and low-lights. What am I most grateful for? Is there something that’s made me unhappy? Is there anything I need to deal with before the year-end? Perhaps there is something I’d like to leave behind … or build on? What would I like to accomplish in the coming year?
‘The clamour of the ocean and its waves’ may remind me of recent natural disasters – floods, tsunamis and rising oceans. I think of all those suffering throughout the world and entrust them to the Lord. Is there any way, no matter how small, in which I can help?
With a sense of gratitude, I recall the Lord’s help in my own times of sorrow or distress and the strength I’ve been given, maybe through the support of a friend, or the kindness of a stranger. As I slowly end with a prayer of my choice, I can rest with the Lord, confident that he dwells in my heart.
Prepared by St Beuno’s Outreach in the Diocese of Wrexham
God go with you, have a great week,
Fraternally,
Paul