Advent Reflection for Wednesday, December 15th

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“You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love.”
–Henry Drummond

Our reading today gives us an opportunity to look at these moments of profound love that are so eloquently stated by Mr. Drummond. These are moments that happen frequently; moments that show us that God is active in our lives; moments that we sometimes miss due to our own obstructed view of the world. Isaiah reminds us that God creates all – the heavens, the earth, and, most importantly, you and me. God is actively creating us, right now, moment by moment with more love and attention than was given to anything else He has done or will do. This enormous revelation has to inspire us to act accordingly – to do our best to love and serve all those with whom we come in contact. We will fail, but Luke reminds us in the Gospel that even in those moments of doubt and struggle, God is laboring with us and encouraging us to open our eyes and see the good deeds that surround us every moment of every day. So we work toward a world that is full of moments when we really live, moments when we love and serve others, moments when we prepare for God to be with us here on earth.

- Sam Deitch is the Director of Ignatian Service at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School (Philadelphia, PA).

Advent Reflection for Tuesday, December 14th

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Dark clouds, moist air, umbrellas and raincoats usher in our celebration of autumn, and we say farewell to a time that has passed away. Although some may consider it to be gloomy, it is also a season that recognizes the need to die in order to be born again. It recognizes that in shedding the old, it welcomes the potential of being every greater than before. Advent is a season that proclaims the coming of God in all His glory, and it connects all of humanity to the Divine through one man, Jesus.

Today’s Scripture reveals that the love of God is close to the brokenhearted. The love of God is close to those who depend on the generosity of others, and to those who need healing of guilt, shame and sin. The Lord hears the cry of the poor and we, as His co-workers, are called to reply to that cry.

Our reply to the cries of our poor brothers and sisters is not just a choice, but it is an honor. Our response extends God’s love to us toward others. The Gospel teaches that all of us are called, and that the ultimate testament of our faithfulness to our loving God is not in what we say, but it is the way we act.

Many are called, but few are chosen – to be chosen is to choose to do in love as God has done for each of us, which ultimately is to offer a life to save another. Love is a choice, not merely a feeling. Understanding this means to choose love even when we may at first not want to. It is choosing love even when we do not feel worthy or capable. To act in love is to recognize that although we may not be able to act alone, there is a God born during this season who is more concerned with our availability than our ability. Today, we are called to act as God did in shedding the old to usher in the new life of His Beloved Son.

- Widian Nicola is a program coordinator at the Center for FaithJustice.

Advent Reflection for Monday, December 13th

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In this passage from Matthew’s Gospel, the authority of Jesus is challenged by His detractors. They don't like what He is saying, so they put a question to Jesus that is designed to embarrass Him.

I love that Jesus accepts confrontation and is not afraid of defending Himself in His own way. You might expect Jesus to say here, “My authority comes from Me because I am God.” But instead of a direct answer, which might lead to Him being charged with blasphemy, Jesus turns the tables on his would-be accusers and reframes the conversation. He attempts to engage them in a dialogue.

This is a message we can all benefit from when we find ourselves in a situation of conflict or disagreement. We are all too aware that, sadly, demonizing rhetoric seems to be the favored method of discourse in the media and in our society today. In the book Catholic Social Teaching: Our Best Kept Secret, the authors write, “Only through patient, respectful dialogue do people grow beyond the limitations of their experience, perceptions, opinions and values. Each person is a unique part of the tapestry of creation, of the mosaic of the human family. Only through dialogue can new levels of understanding and appreciation be achieved in the human community.”

Instead of the angry divisiveness of the “I’m right and you’re wrong” style of communication, the example of Jesus is always the way to go. Next time we find ourselves in a debate that is about to escalate into an argument, wouldn’t it be nice to reframe the conversation and strive for that patient, respectful dialogue instead? If we are successful, it is possible we will be able to grow beyond the limitations of our experience.

- Ken Likely is a member of the Center for FaithJustice’s Board of Trustees

Advent Reflection for Sunday, December 12th

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The build-up to Christmas certainly stimulates our senses: the twinkling lights, scent of evergreens, sounds of bells and Christmas Carols fill the air. It is little wonder that we sometimes forget the true meaning of the season. I am reminded today of the words of Jan Richardson: “Advent days bathe us in the images of abundance and happiness, but we pray for those who do not find this time a season of goodness and light.”

On this Gaudete Sunday, we hear Isaiah speak words of hope to a fearful, hurting people. He announces that a new day is coming. Instead of a dry land there will be blossoms; instead of fear there will be new strength; where there is despair, joy and singing. Health and abilities will be restored; sorrow and mourning will be no more. And the Gospel tells us that John the Baptist led his disciples not to himself but to Jesus, who gives hope to God’s promises: those who are blind will see, those who are lame will walk, the sick will be healed, the deaf shall hear, and the poor will know the Good News. Jesus is the Good News – to the poor, the helpless, the hopeless and all wounded by life’s journey.

Today’s readings are both joyful and filled with tension. We hope the vision we see in the Gospel will become a reality. We pray that all people will experience liberation from captivity of every kind and that the Earth's resources are shared by all. We dream that hunger, alienation and violence will be no more and that all people may live with dignity as sons and daughters of God. Yet, when we look at the reality of our lives, and those of our sisters and brothers across this world we must ask the question “What does that mean for us?”

What does it mean for us to have a God that sets “the prisoners free” when our reality is a nation where millions are incarcerated? What does it mean for us to have a God that tells us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and take care of strangers, orphans and widows when in reality, we have enough resources to solve world hunger but choose not to? John's question, “Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another ?” causes me to remember the words of another prophet, Mahatma Gandhi, whose challenge to us was to “be the change you wish to see in the world.”

My prayer for all of us this day is that God’s Word will take root in us. As the Body of Christ, may we manifest the Living God in the way we live our lives.

- Helen Sanford is director of campus ministry at Immaculata High School (Somerville, NJ) and past member of the Center for FaithJustice’s Board of Trustees.

Advent Reflection for Saturday, December 11th

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Today’s Scripture readings perplexed me at first glance, but a line from the Responsorial Psalm shed light on the passages (a helpful hint from the Vatican’s lectionary gurus) – “Let us see your face and we shall be saved.”

The passages from Sirach and Matthew’s Gospel are all about seeing and recognizing God in our midst. In the first reading, we hear of the awesome power and glory that surrounded the prophet Elijah, one of God’s greatest messengers to the Israelites. His words “were as a flaming furnace” in their immediacy and zeal, and his miraculous actions jolted sleepwalking Israelites awake, at least for a moment.

Elijah proclaimed a message of God’s faithfulness, God’s special love of the poor, and a reminder that being a follower of God has real implications for how we treat one another. Those who get what Elijah is about are favored in God’s eyes: “Blessed is he who shall have seen you (Elijah) and who falls asleep in your friendship.” When we see and befriend Elijah’s message, we welcome God into our lives.

The Gospel reading picks up on this theme. Jesus tells his disciples that even though Elijah came with fiery chariots and a message from God, he wasn’t recognized as God’s herald. Instead, he was rejected and oppressed. It will be the same for those, like Elijah, who are called to confront the status quo: John the Baptist, Christ himself, disciples through the ages. It’s not easy to recognize God when our comfort is threatened. The job for us on our journey is to notice where God appears, to see and recognize the divine presence in all we meet, and to respond with a radical love. It is our job to see God in the beggar, the orphan, the widow, the immigrant, the estranged family member, the annoying co-worker – to find and honor God in the most unexpected people and places. This, I think, is a central message of Christmas, as we gather around the crèche and remember how shocking it is that God sent a poor, homeless, helpless child to save the world.

- Mike Laskey is the youth minister at the Church of St. Ann and a program coordinator at the Center for FaithJustice

Advent Reflection for Friday, December 10th

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The first time I watched the movie Crash, I was captivated by it. I loved the power and intensity, the messages and challenges it flung at its viewers. The characters’ varied lives and stories unfolded and I watched intently and waited for the time in the movie when they would converge with clarity. Indeed there were some clear intersections between some of the characters, but it seemed there were still some separate stories being told. Still, the move was powerful and provocative and made me want to watch it several times more. Each time, I have watched it with fresh perspective. I notice new things, hear sentences that had not gotten my attention earlier, and I see more and more how the lives of all of these characters actually are interwoven. The movie has not changed, but I have, and thus, how I view it changes. I don’t just hear the words, but I listen. I begin to see what is going on instead of just watching. In today’s reading from Matthew, it seems no one is on the same page in terms of what they view. The children are providing music. But their playful flute music is not heard as such and does not bring forth dancing and joy; their songs of sadness and death do not evoke weeping. Jesus is pointing out to the crowd that if they merely hear, but do not truly listen, they will have many challenges ahead of them.

He goes on to show how the people are not willing to face the reality of what they are looking at. They completely miss the fact that John is a prophet, come to prepare the way for the Messiah. He did not fit the perception of what a prophet would be like, so they denounced him. The Son of Man came but was perceived to be too much of an ordinary guy, eating and drinking and befriending all kinds. He could not be someone of esteem. Certainly not the Lord. He, too, was dismissed.

Wisdom is the art of seeing the bigger picture, or really getting it, and knowing this with certainty. We each have our own perception, based on where we stand in life. Our experiences, our relationships, where we live and what we do give each of us our own lens on the world. In the Bible, and especially in Proverbs, wisdom is something worth the effort to attain, and begins and exists with and because of fear (respect) of God. The personified Wisdom is contrasted to the fools, who despise discipline and lack morals. There may be these different lenses but it will be wisdom that prevails in the end.

We may see what we want to see, or what we can see from where we stand in our life, in our journey of faith. God tell us our attitude is where it all begins. When I watch a movie, I may spend some of the time anticipating, even predicting the ending. But in life, I had better strive to truly see and listen for the truth. I must work diligently to keep my attitude open to wisdom.

- Laura Heil is a member of the Center for FaithJustice’s Board of Trustees

Advent Reflection for Thursday, December 9th

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“I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand;
It is I who say to you, Fear not, I will help you.”
I was talking to a high school senior yesterday, and he told me how he participated in the “Day of Silence” to protest abortion and fight for the right of everyone to live. He wore a red armband and did not speak all day. When kids approached him asking what he was doing, he handed them a flyer explaining his purpose. He remained silent throughout.

Most of the kids were supportive. Some asked him how, as a male, he could understand what it would be like to be a teen and pregnant. Some others had similar comments. He said to me, “Living the Gospel is really tough.” I said, “You’re right, but your realization of that truth is a huge step in your faith development.” And then I read today’s passage from the prophet Isaiah.

If we just have faith, if we are strong enough to believe – God tells us over and over again in the Scriptures that He is with us and will always be there for us. “I will grasp your right hand. I will help you. You are not alone. It is not about you. It is all about Me. You are my hands and my feet. It is I working through you.” If only we could just always believe this and not get caught up in some sort of crazy thought process about needing to save everyone somehow. Often times, just putting it all at the feet of Jesus is the hardest thing to do. Real faith is hard. Isaiah gives us a model. Abraham, willing to sacrifice his son, gives us a model. Lord, help me to believe, to trust in you.

- Dan Rackers is a member of the pastoral staff at St. Cyril of Jerusalem Church (Jamison, PA).

Advent Reflection for Wednesday, December 8th

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

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Adam answered God, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.”

Am I ever afraid of disappointing God by letting others down? Am I tempted to cover my face and hide when something goes wrong? Does God find me and call me back? What does it feel like to be forgiven?
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Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds.
What makes me sing out to the Lord like I’ve never sung before? Which of the marvelous works of God inspire me to shout, to laugh, to dance?
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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens…
How am I blessed? What gifts have I been given? How, in turn, can I bless others?
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Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Mary, the model disciple, gives up control and lets the will of God work in her life. When is it particularly difficult to give up control of our own lives? Are there times I forget that God is in charge? What is one thing I can let go of this Advent?

Advent Reflection for Tuesday, December 7th

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In this Gospel, we hear a familiar message from Jesus. He came to heal the sick, to serve the poor, and to find the lost sheep. It is a good reminder as we continue in Advent and prepare for the Incarnation at Christmas. I think we can all get caught up in this “season of giving.” There is no greater joy for me than seeing the look on a loved one’s face as they open that perfect gift I have given. But this brings to mind a few questions: What am I giving? To whom am I giving? And maybe most importantly, why am I giving? It is easy and comfortable to hang out with the 99 sheep, but Jesus teaches us, we need to break out of that comfort zone and go after the stray. Or maybe, at these times when I lose sight of the big picture and Jesus’ message, I am the one sheep gone astray.

- Chris Davidson is youth minister at St. Matthias Church and a CFJ Team member.

Advent Reflection for Monday, December 6th

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When I was asked to reflect on this passage I was brought back to my first week facilitating JusticeworX, when we asked the students to put themselves in the position of the paralytic. A man, who after being paralyzed for what could have been years, is told to rise, pick up his mat and go home. The verse says that the paralytic “stood up immediately before them.” He had such strong faith and trust in Jesus that he did not even hesitate in rising. Would we have done the same?

As a disciple of Christ, we trust that God has a plan and purpose for our lives and because of this we are called to respond, without hesitation, to His call. This Advent season, in preparation for the Incarnation we celebrate at Christmas, we are challenged to explore those parts of our lives that paralyze and hinder us from fully serving Christ. We are also called to recognize and give thanks to the people in our lives who propel us forward on our spiritual journeys. Just as the paralytic went home glorifying God, we too give glory to God for the blessings He has bestowed in our lives.

- Melissa Chedid is a member of the SOFIA Evangelization Team and LeaderworX alumna