Prayers and Reflections for the Second Sunday in Lent

Todays Readings
Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-43

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First Sunday of Advent Hope Overcomes Fear

We begin the Advent season with an excerpt of a reflection from Rev. John Rausch, a Glenmary priest who was recognized by Pax Christi with a Teacher of Peace award this year. An instrumental version of  Bernardette Farrells song Bread of Life follows (via jazzairwaves).

Advent allows a step back from our preoccupation with economic worries and the cares of the world. It raises our eyes to see the new liturgical year as the hopeful dawn of salvation that will ultimately reach completion with our participation. Fear about the “end of the world” gets replaced by excitement about the fullness of God’s Reign. Your “ransom,” “liberation,” and “redemption” are at hand!  -Rev. John Rausch 

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Prayers and Reflections for the Fourth Sunday in Lent

Todays Readings
Joshua 5:9-12    Psalm 32    2 Corinthians 5:16-21    Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

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Third Sunday of Advent Meeting Emmanuel

For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice for ever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress.    from Isaiah 65

We worship a God who approaches us -- not as a distant deity, but in the birth of child -- a child born to poverty, to exile, to oppression, and to the daily threat of violence from a government that exploited the people it governed and a political leader who held absolute power over peoples lives. If we ask where God is today, the anticipation of Advent, the expectation of Emmanuel/God With Us, born today, leads us into the midst of all our brokenness and suffering.

Emmanuel/God With Us, invites us into the places of pain and struggle -- to meet our neighbors and to encounter the healing presence of God. Emmanuel/God With Us invites us to act with expectancy, to live and to love as though Gods new creation is now -- doing justice and loving kindness, that we might taste and share the beauty and the joy and the peace of being with God.   -excerpt from "Meeting Emmanuel" by Rev. Dr.Teresa Chávez Sauceda, Program Manager for Advanced Pastoral Studies, San Francisco Theological Seminary

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Second Sunday of Advent A Growing Inner Stillness

Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Advent does not lead to nervous tension stemming from expectation of something spectacular about to happen. 

On the contrary, it leads to a growing inner stillness and joy allowing me to realize that he for whom I am waiting has already arrived and speaks to me in the silence of my heart. 

Just as a mother feels the child grow in her and is not surprised on the day of the birth, but joyfully receives the one she learned to know during her waiting, so Jesus can be born in my life slowly and steadily and be received as the one I learned to know while waiting.  - Henri J.M. Nouwen

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Fourth Sunday of Advent Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing oer the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.

In a #sharethegift video, The Piano Guys, Peter Hollens, David Archuleta, and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir get together to sing "Angels We Have Heard On High"

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Prayers and Reflections for the Third Sunday in Lent

Todays Readings
Isaiah 55:1-9    Psalm 63    I Corinthians 10:1-13    Luke 13:1-9

from Bread for the World

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