Prayer 

First Week of Advent

This coming Sunday, 3 December, is the First Sunday of Advent. Veronica Lawson rsm explores some of the major themes of Advent that come from this Sunday’s Gospel  - To Stay Awake! And Having Eyes Wide Open.

Advent is about recognising our tendency to be less than vigilant and even to turn away when our presence is most needed. It is about allowing the grace of God to take hold in our hearts, keeping us watchful for the sake of those on the edge and for the sake of a regenerated Earth. Most of us would agree that our Earth communities are in crisis. We need to be alert to causes as well as to consequences so that the cycles of violence might eventually be broken. Our gospel asks no less of us. As I look up from my writing, I see the magpies in the yard, ever alert, rarely asleep, ready to protect their territory and their young. The creatures of the earth can remind us that “eyes wide open” is the proper stance for gospel people as well as for birds or black swans.

Let us awaken from our slumber! 

Let us try to ask ourselves: am I aware of what I am living, 

am I alert, am I awake? Do I try to recognize God’s presence in daily situations, 

or am I distracted and a little overwhelmed by things? 

- Pope Francis, Angelus 27 November 2022

Blessing

We are looking for God in our world.

May we see what God wants us to see. 

We are looking for God in our lives. 

May we be who God wants us to be. 

And may God our Shepherd, Protector, Awakener, and Holy Spirit, 

bless us through these Advent days.