Spirituality Ministry
Nourish Your Spirit Online
Prayer Requests
Oblates
Stillpoint Music Group
Kids' Corner
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
AdSide |
|||
|
Fourth Sunday of Advent Readings:
Opening Prayer:Compassionate God, Your son became flesh through the willingness of Mary and Joseph to embrace the mystery of your life with us. Through their responses to your invitation you brought hope to a people enslaved by sin and lost in the darkness that accompanies it. Enable us to listen for your invitations that we may receive your good news and respond with a full heart in order that others may come to know your love and care. We ask this through Christ Jesus. Amen “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel: (which means, God-with-us). The will of God as reiterated by the voice of a messenger resounded within the heart of a young woman named Mary. As Mary pondered God’s invitation, could she have known that this moment would likely be followed by a lifetime of invitations? With her simple yet profound response she opened herself to encounters of “God with us” that would be shrouded in mystery and evoke new questions. With each interaction came a growing familiarity with the voice of “God with us”. Each surrender was accompanied by both indescribable joy and unrelenting pain. This maiden pronounced her fiat so that generations to come would know “God with us”. Joseph, a just and upright man in a quandary, unwilling to put his betrothed to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. A man who sought to live in ways that conformed to the will of God. He was a man reassured by the message to live out his commitment to his betrothed as revealed in a dream. Invited to trust that together they would bring to the waiting world the good news of “God with us”. Today, we stand with many, like Mary and Joseph, whose lives are complex and confusing. At times life seems out of control. Perhaps spiraling debt, failing health, unemployment, or strained/broken relationships bring a sense of darkness and even a sense of abandonment. We wonder how good can ever come from such suffering and struggle. Still, we cry out in desperation and in hope for “God with us”. Today, in this blessed season, we ponder the invitations and the mysteries that are shrouded in the ordinary events of this day—a soothing cup of tea, a lingering conversation, a friend’s impending death, a loved one deployed to a foreign country, a comforting embrace, and a brilliant sunset. In the invitations and the mysteries we are challenged and assured of “God with us”. Today we respond to the invitations, the demands, the questions posed by those with whom we travel this journey so that they too will know “God with us”. Let us pray to be receptive to the good news of “God with us”. For Reflection:
Closing Prayer May we receive God’s word with openness and humility so that we may be transformed according to your designs. May we generously share your Word so that others may find hope, life and love in you. Our Father |
|||||
| Community Members · Academy Alumnae · Privacy Policy · Site Map · © 2008 Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, Indiana | |||||
