Your wake-up call is found in today’s readings, especially the Gospel. Keep awake! Jesus encourages us in Matthew 24. In Romans 13  we are told to put on the armor of Light and to live honourably. Advent begins and we enter the darkest time of the year while we await the arrival of the Light of the World at Christmas. This first Sunday we light the candle of Hope, the first of three purple and one pink candle.  Hope is present and illuminates the darkness. After this week, I needed to take some quiet time to light the candle and pull out my twinkle lights.  I will put the tree up later. Today was about welcoming the waiting with hopeful expectation. As much as it is a term of war in the First Reading, I needed to slip on the protection of the Light and prepare to receive the Christ child who is coming.

Psalm 122 prays that peace would be within our walls. For the sake of the Lord, the psalmist says he will seek your good – shall we join in this quest during Advent? Put on our armor of Light and find reasons to seek the good of others for the next four weeks in a purposeful and meaningful way? Sow seeds of hope this week to those who desperately need them? Turn away from war, beat swords into ploughshares, and spears into pruning hooks? Bury a hatchet, compliment a person who irritates you, visit a person who is lonely, donate to a hamper, let it go, move on without envy or anger — what is it you can do to bring the light of Hope to our world?

This Advent Let us walk in the Light of the Lord! Isaiah 2.

Peace,

Suzanne

Reflection Questions

How can you live honourably this Advent?

What will you do this week to scatter seeds of Hope?

Prayer

Light of the World, help me to spark a flame this week by a concrete action to instill Hope. Keep me watchful for opportunities to brighten a soul who waits in darkness. Make me a match that illuminates your holy plan. Amen.