Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent
The Light of Hope
Prayer for Hope
Loving God,
We conclude this season of Advent in anticipation of the Coming of Your Son Jesus. We have experienced of all Your creation. We have seen the pain, the violence, the grief and the sorrow that is in our world. Fill us with the hope that comes from knowing Your Son. Grant us the strength to persevere in loving You and loving our neighbor and tending to our “common home.” In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
-Father Phil Paxton, CP
Let us live in the joyful hope of reciprocating to our brothers and sisters, through what little we can, the abundance we receive from God each day. -Pope Francis
Scripture:
Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24
Luke 1:57-66
Reflection:
Bob Rizzi is a longtime parishioner at St. Joseph Monastery Parish in Baltimore, Maryland, and a member of the Passionist Family.
“Hope” is the Thing with Feathers
-Emily Dickinson
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.
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.