Scripture:
Reflection:
Today we are reminded to:
“Be vigilant at all times
And pray that you have the strength
To escape the tribulations that are imminent
And to stand before the Son of Man.”
Sometimes pastoral ministry can seem overwhelming when these imminent tribulations find their place on your front door step and moreover, don’t seem to be in any big hurry to move on! At these times I give thanks for the strength that comes through prayer and the faith that leads us to be vigilant. Prayer gives way to hope and vigilance to promise if we can just remain faithful to a God who reminds us to let God be God and trust all will be well!
Tomorrow
We begin the four weeks of Advent,
When we are asked to put on patient waiting,
To stay awake and be alert as we prepare
To welcome the Christ Child in our midst
In the midst of the hectic pace of the past few weeks and the frustrations that come with trying to meet the needs of the people of God, I am so looking forward to the coming season of Advent. I need to be challenged to wait patiently, to stay awake and to be alert to God’s coming into my life. I yearn for the peace, the hope and the promise that a small child born into the poverty of a wartorn land over 2000 years ago, offers to those of us who can be open to the new life and new ways that lead us to be better than we are right now.
Advent will challenge me to move out of my complacency, turn away from stubbornness and impatience and put myself in the hands of the one who promises to make all things good if we but trust.
I look forward to our Advent vespers, Taize, lectio divina, reflecting with our RCIA candidates on the meaning of Advent and participating in the many outreach opportunities we have planned.
I pray that whatever way you choose to celebrate Advent, that it be a time of patient waiting, wakeful moments and awesome new possibilities as we prepare for the coming of God’s Kingdom. Happy Advent to all!
Theresa Secord is a Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.