Advent Reflections

Friday of the Second Week of Advent

The Light of Peace

Prayer for Peace

Loving God,

During this season when many people, whether they are Christian or not,
act out of good will towards others, our thoughts and prayers turn to peace.

We long for the day when “swords” are turned “into plowshares,” and “spears into pruning hooks.”
We yearn for the fulfillment of Your prophet Isaiah’s words:
“For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for fire.”

As we await the coming of the Prince of Peace, fill our hearts with Your Peace,
and give us the strength to make peace in Your beloved world.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
-Father Phil Paxton, CP

Peace is a gift of God, but requires our efforts. Let us be people of peace in prayer and deed.
-Pope Francis

Scripture:

Isaiah 48:17-19
Matthew 11:16-19

Reflection:

Phil Jackson is a long-time member of the Passionist Family. He currently works in Donor Relations at the Province Offices and serves on the Passionist Alumni Council. Phil has a great devotion to The Passion of Jesus Christ.

The Peace of Wild Things
-Wendell Berry

When despair grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting for their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Thursday of the Second Week of Advent

The Light of Peace

Prayer for Peace

Loving God,

During this season when many people, whether they are Christian or not,
act out of goodwill towards others, our thoughts and prayers turn to peace.

We long for the day when “swords” are turned “into plowshares,” and “spears into pruning hooks.”
We yearn for the fulfillment of Your prophet Isaiah’s words:
“For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for fire.”

As we await the coming of the Prince of Peace, fill our hearts with Your Peace,
and give us the strength to make peace in Your beloved world.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
-Father Phil Paxton, CP

Peace is a gift of God, but requires our efforts. Let us be people of peace in prayer and deed.
-Pope Francis

Scripture:

Isaiah 41:13-20
Matthew 11:11-15

Reflection:

Bob Rizzi is a longtime parishioner at St. Joseph Monastery Parish in Baltimore, Maryland, and a member of the Passionist Family.

The Peace of Wild Things
-Wendell Berry

When despair grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting for their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Light of Peace

Peace is a gift of God, but requires our efforts. Let us be people of peace in prayer and deed.
-Pope Francis

Scripture:

Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Luke 1:26-38

Reflection:

Sandra Sierra serves on the Board of Directors, where she is the Treasurer, for Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

The Peace of Wild Things
-Wendell Berry

When despair grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting for their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent

The Light of Peace

Prayer for Peace

Loving God,

During this season when many people, whether they are Christian or not,
act out of good will towards others, our thoughts and prayers turn to peace.

We long for the day when “swords” are turned “into plowshares,” and “spears into pruning hooks.”
We yearn for the fulfillment of Your prophet Isaiah’s words:
“For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for fire.”

As we await the coming of the Prince of Peace, fill our hearts with Your Peace,
and give us the strength to make peace in Your beloved world.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
-Father Phil Paxton, CP

Peace is a gift of God, but requires our efforts. Let us be people of peace in prayer and deed.
-Pope Francis

Scripture:

Isaiah 40:1-11
Matthew 18:12-14

Reflection:

Lissa Romell is the Administrator at St. Vincent Strambi Community in Chicago, Illinois. She is the co-chair of the Holy Cross Province Laudato Si Vision Fulfillment Team.

The Peace of Wild Things
-Wendell Berry

When despair grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting for their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Monday of the Second Week of Advent

The Light of Peace

Peace is a gift of God, but requires our efforts. Let us be people of peace in prayer and deed.
-Pope Francis

Scripture:

Isaiah 35:1-10
Luke 5:17-26

Reflection:

Mike Owens is the Coordinator of the Passionist Alumni Council. Building off the values gained during his Passionist formation years, he is active in religious education, volunteering and board memberships.  Mike and his wilfe, Joyce, live in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Peace of Wild Things
-Wendell Berry

When despair grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting for their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Call to Action:

In celebration of St. Nicholas Day, how can you show “secret generosity” to loved ones and especially strangers?

Second Sunday of Advent

The Light of Peace

Prayer for Peace

Loving God,

During this season when many people, whether they are Christian or not,
act out of good will towards others, our thoughts and prayers turn to peace.

We long for the day when “swords” are turned “into plowshares,” and “spears into pruning hooks.”
We yearn for the fulfillment of Your prophet Isaiah’s words:
“For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for fire.”

As we await the coming of the Prince of Peace, fill our hearts with Your Peace,
and give us the strength to make peace in Your beloved world.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
-Father Phil Paxton, CP

Peace is a gift of God, but requires our efforts. Let us be people of peace in prayer and deed.
-Pope Francis

Scripture:

Baruch 5:1-9
Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Luke 3:1-6

Reflection:

Deacon Phillip Donlan, CP, is currently a student at Catholic Theological Union (CTU) in Chicago, Illinois, as he continues to prepare for Ordination to the Priesthood in Spring 2022.

English:

Spanish:

The Peace of Wild Things
-Wendell Berry

When despair grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting for their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Call to Action:

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

Saturday of the First Week of Advent

The Light of Faithfulness

Prayer for Faithfulness

Loving God,

Ever-living source of all that is good,
keep me faithful in serving you.

Help me to drink of Christ’s truth, and fill my heart with his love
so that I may serve you in faith and love.

Keep me in your presence.
Let me never be separated from you and help me to do your will.

In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.

“When we walk without the cross, when we build without the cross and when we proclaim Christ without the cross, we are not disciples of the Lord. We are worldly. We may be bishops, priests, cardinals, popes, all of this, but we are not disciples of the Lord.”    -Pope Francis

Scripture:

Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26
Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8

Reflection:

Father Nicholas Divine, CP, servers on the Ministry Team at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

Through Faith
Poet: E. Margaret Clarkson

Through faith we understand
The things we cannot know –
The hidden pattern God has planned
And why each thread is so.
We trace life’s vast design
And lose His golden strand;
But when our wills with His entwine,
Through faith we understand.

Through faith we understand
What to our sight is dim,
And still Love’s sweet, all-knowing hand
Leads those who trust in Him.
Ours not to know the way
But bow to His command;
And when our childlike hearts obey,
Through faith we understand.

Call to Action: 
Take 1 hour (or more) to be silent. No TV, no radio, no computer, no cell phone.

Friday of the First Week of Advent

The Light of Faithfulness

Prayer for Faithfulness

Loving God,

Ever-living source of all that is good,
keep me faithful in serving you.

Help me to drink of Christ’s truth, and fill my heart with his love
so that I may serve you in faith and love.

Keep me in your presence.
Let me never be separated from you and help me to do your will.

In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.

“When we walk without the cross, when we build without the cross and when we proclaim Christ without the cross, we are not disciples of the Lord. We are worldly. We may be bishops, priests, cardinals, popes, all of this, but we are not disciples of the Lord.”    -Pope Francis

Scripture:

Isaiah 29:17-24
Matthew 9:27-31

Reflection:

Phil Jackson is a long-time member of the Passionist Family. He currently works in Donor Relations at the Province Offices and serves on the Passionist Alumni Council. Phil has a great devotion to The Passion of Jesus Christ.

Through Faith
Poet: E. Margaret Clarkson

Through faith we understand
The things we cannot know –
The hidden pattern God has planned
And why each thread is so.
We trace life’s vast design
And lose His golden strand;
But when our wills with His entwine,
Through faith we understand.

Through faith we understand
What to our sight is dim,
And still Love’s sweet, all-knowing hand
Leads those who trust in Him.
Ours not to know the way
But bow to His command;
And when our childlike hearts obey,
Through faith we understand.

Call to Action: 
Pick one or more of the peacemakers who attended the Nonviolence and Just Peace Conference at the Vatican and search online to learn more about their stories.