ADVENT 2023 | FIRST SUNDAY
Advent is often marked by the lighting of candles with the first candle symbolizing HOPE.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” — Isaiah 9: 2
“Waiting is essential to the spiritual life. But waiting as a disciple of Jesus is not an empty waiting. It is a waiting with a promise in our hearts that makes already present what we are waiting for. We are always waiting, but it is a waiting in the conviction that we have already seen God’s footsteps. As we wait we remember him for whom we are waiting, and as we remember him we create a community ready to welcome him when he comes.” – Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey
Dear God,
I am full of wishes, full of desires, full of expectations.
Some of them may be realized, many may not,
but in the midst of all my satisfactions and
disappointments, I hope in you.
I know that you will never leave me alone
and will fulfill your divine promises.
O Lord, strengthen my hope,
especially when my many wishes are not fulfilled.
Let me never forget that your name is Love.
Amen.
(Prayer from With Open Hands by Henri Nouwen)
ADVENT 2023 | SECOND SUNDAY
Advent is often marked by the lighting of candles with the second candle symbolizing PEACE.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3
“Peace is Shalom – well-being of mind, heart, and body, individually and communally. It can exist in the midst of a war-torn world, even in the midst of unresolved problems and increasing human conflicts. Jesus made that peace by giving his life for his brothers and sisters. This is no easy peace, but it is everlasting and comes from God. Are we willing to give our lives in the service of peace?” – Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey
Dear God,
Give me the courage to live and work
for a new heaven and a new earth as Jesus did.
Give me the freedom to be critical where I see evil
and to offer praises where I see goodness.
Most of all, make me faithful to the vision you have given me,
so that wherever I go and whomever I meet,
I can be a sign of your all-renewing love.
Amen.
(Prayer from With Open Hands by Henri Nouwen)
ADVENT 2023 | THIRD SUNDAY
Advent is often marked by the lighting of candles with the third candle symbolizing JOY.
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2: 10 -11
“At first sight, joy seems to be connected with being different. When you receive a compliment or win an award, you experience the joy of not being the same as others. You are faster, smarter, or more beautiful, and it is that difference that brings you joy. But such joy is very temporary. True joy is hidden where we are the same as other people: fragile and mortal. It is the joy of belonging to the human race. It is the joy of being with others as a friend, a companion, a fellow-traveler. This is the joy of Jesus, who is Emmanuel: God-with-us.” – Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey
Dear God,
Joy is what makes life worth living,
but joy seems hard to find.
I complain that my life is
sorrowful and depressing.
What then brings the joy I so much desire?
You invite me to choose joy.
Help me to choose to trust that what happened,
painful as it may be, holds a promise.
Let your loving voice be my guide.
Amen.
(Prayer adapted from With Open Hands by Henri Nouwen)
ADVENT 2023 | FOURTH SUNDAY
Advent is often marked by the lighting of candles with the fourth candle symbolizing LOVE.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4: 18
“Many voices ask for our attention. There is a voice that says, “Prove you are a good person.” Another voice says, “You’d better be ashamed of yourself.” There is also a voice that says, “Nobody really cares about you,” and one that says, “Be sure to become successful, popular, and powerful.” But underneath all these often very noisy voices is a still, small voice that says, “You are my Beloved, my favor rests on you.” That’s the voice we need most of all to hear. To hear that voice, however, requires special effort; it requires solitude, silence, and a strong determination to listen. That’s what prayer is. It is listening to the voice that calls us “my Beloved.”
– Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey
Dear God,
As you draw me ever deeper into your heart,
I discover that my companions on the
journey are women and men
loved by you as fully and as intimately as I am.
In your compassionate heart,
there is a place for all of them.
No one is excluded.
Give me a share in your compassion, dear God,
so that your unlimited love may become visible
in the way I love my brothers and sisters.
Amen.
(Prayer from With Open Hands by Henri Nouwen)
ADVENT 2023 | CHRISTMAS DAY
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” – Matthew 1: 18-23
“Jesus is called Emmanuel, which means “God-with-us.” The great paradox of Jesus’ life is that he, whose words and actions are in no way influenced by human blame or praise but are completely dependent on God’s will, is more “with” us than any other human being. Jesus’ compassion, his deep feeling-with-us, is possible because his life is guided not by human respect but only by the love of his heavenly Father. Indeed, Jesus is free to love us because he is not dependent on our love.”
– Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey