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Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent, Christmas Eve

The Light of Hope

“Hope opens new horizons, making us capable of dreaming what is not even imaginable.” -Pope Francis

Scripture:

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Luke 1:67-79

Reflection:

Dr. Griena Knight-Davis, Ed.D., is the Principal of Holy Family Catholic Academy in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a lifelong parishioner at St. Mary’s Parish in Fairfield, Alabama.

Prayer for Hope

Loving Father,
we continue this season of Advent
in great anticipation
of the Coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

We have experienced the suffering of all
Your creation. We have seen the pain,
the violence, the sorrow and the grief
that is in our world.

Fill us with the hope that is in Your Son.

Grant us the strength to persevere
in following Him; in loving You
and loving our neighbor
and tending to our “common home.”

In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.

Call to Action:

Celebrate an old-fashioned and healthy tradition: tonight, fill children’s stockings with fruit and nuts, rather than toys and candy. If you do not have children, start a Christmas Eve tradition this year that is Jesus-centered and expresses solidarity with the poor.

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

The Light of Hope

“Hope opens new horizons, making us capable of dreaming what is not even imaginable.” -Pope Francis

Scripture:

Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24
Luke 1:57-66

Reflection:

Patty Gillis is a retired Pastoral Minister. She served on the Board of Directors at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit. She is currently a member of the Laudato Si Vision Fulfillment Team and the Passionist Solidarity Network.

Prayer for Hope

Loving Father,
we continue this season of Advent
in great anticipation
of the Coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

We have experienced the suffering of all
Your creation. We have seen the pain,
the violence, the sorrow and the grief
that is in our world.

Fill us with the hope that is in Your Son.

Grant us the strength to persevere
in following Him; in loving You
and loving our neighbor
and tending to our “common home.”

In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.

Call to Action:

For your bookshelf:  The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen’s Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear” by Paul Rogat Loeb.

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

The Light of Hope

“Hope opens new horizons, making us capable of dreaming what is not even imaginable.” -Pope Francis

Scripture:

1 Samuel 1:24-28
Luke 1:46-56

Reflection:

Mark Brockman is a Passionist Formation Alumni. He works in cybersecurity and assists with retreat programs in his home Diocese of Austin, Texas.

Prayer for Hope

Loving Father,
we continue this season of Advent
in great anticipation
of the Coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

We have experienced the suffering of all
Your creation. We have seen the pain,
the violence, the sorrow and the grief
that is in our world.

Fill us with the hope that is in Your Son.

Grant us the strength to persevere
in following Him; in loving You
and loving our neighbor
and tending to our “common home.”

In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.

Call to Action:

Focus for a moment on an image of someone or a marginalized group who are the “face of Christ Crucified” in your life, community or in the world.

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

The Light of Hope

“Hope opens new horizons, making us capable of dreaming what is not even imaginable.” -Pope Francis

Scripture:

Song of Songs 22:8-14 or Zephaniah 3:14-18a
Luke 1:39-45

Reflection:

Alexis Salazar is a Young Adult Core Team Member at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center in Sierra Madre, California.

Prayer for Hope

Loving Father,
we continue this season of Advent
in great anticipation
of the Coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

We have experienced the suffering of all
Your creation. We have seen the pain,
the violence, the sorrow and the grief
that is in our world.

Fill us with the hope that is in Your Son.

Grant us the strength to persevere
in following Him; in loving You
and loving our neighbor
and tending to our “common home.”

In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.

Call to Action:

Name a hope you have for yourself, your family, your community this Advent. What can you do to make it a reality?

Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Light of Hope

“Hope opens new horizons, making us capable of dreaming what is not even imaginable.” -Pope Francis

Scripture:

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38

Reflection:

Father Alfredo Ocampo, CP, is the Director of Passionist Students and preaches parish missions.  He is a member of St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois.

English:

Spanish:

Prayer for Hope

Loving Father,
we continue this season of Advent
in great anticipation
of the Coming of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

We have experienced the suffering of all
Your creation. We have seen the pain,
the violence, the sorrow and the grief
that is in our world.

Fill us with the hope that is in Your Son.

Grant us the strength to persevere
in following Him; in loving You
and loving our neighbor
and tending to our “common home.”

In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.

Call to Action:

If you use social media:  post a hopeful Advent message on your pages.

Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

The Light of Joy

“Joy cannot be held at heel: it must be let go. Joy is a pilgrim virtue. It is a gift that walks, walks on the path of life, that walks with Jesus: preaching, proclaiming Jesus, proclaiming joy, lengthens and widens that path.”   
-Pope Francis

Scripture:

Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a
Luke 1:5-25

Reflection:

Father Febin Barose, CP, is a Parochial Vicar, serving at St. Agnes Parish in Louisville, Kentucky.

Prayer of Joy

Loving God,
Christmas is almost here! Fill us with the joy of this season!

Fill us with the joy Mary and Elizabeth felt when they reunited after Mary was told that Elizabeth, long considered barren, was with child.

“Lord, Elizabeth declared to Mary, ‘Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you would be fulfilled.'”

Help us believe that Your promises to us have been fulfilled in Jesus.

May we rejoice in Him. Amen.

Call to Action:

Sit in silence for 3 minutes.  Breathe in the silence.  Pray for peace.

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

The Light of Joy

“Joy cannot be held at heel: it must be let go. Joy is a pilgrim virtue. It is a gift that walks, walks on the path of life, that walks with Jesus: preaching, proclaiming Jesus, proclaiming joy, lengthens and widens that path.”   
-Pope Francis

Scripture:

Jeremiah 23:5-8
Matthew 1:18-25

Reflection:

Father John Schork, CP, is the Vocations Director for Holy Cross Province. He is a member of St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois.

Prayer of Joy

Loving God,
Christmas is almost here! Fill us with the joy of this season!

Fill us with the joy Mary and Elizabeth felt when they reunited after Mary was told that Elizabeth, long considered barren, was with child.

“Lord, Elizabeth declared to Mary, ‘Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you would be fulfilled.'”

Help us believe that Your promises to us have been fulfilled in Jesus.

May we rejoice in Him. Amen.

Call to Action:

Multiply your giving: for each person on your gift list, donate to a favorite cause of theirs, or give a gift in their name to someone in need.