ADVENT - A Time to Say YES

At dinnertime one evening just after Thanksgiving a few of us commented on how quickly the month of October was slipping away and I casually remarked that ADVENT would soon be on our doorstep and how much I loved the Season!  To my amazement, everyone chimed in “I love it too”!  Little did I know that I would receive a phone call the next day from one of our Sisters asking me to write a little reflection on “ WHAT ADVENT MEANS IN MY LIFE”.  Nothing happens by chance…our God is always at work!

ADVENT…a time to say “YES” to my life.  Maranatha, come Lord Jesus, come! Both of these prayers or mantras are implicit in Mary’s Magnificat.  I’m sure that after Gabriel’s visit, Mary was awed and humbled in remembering what God had done for her. Her response, immortalized in the Magnificat, also sings and resonates in my heart.  My soul celebrates Yahweh my God, and I rejoice constantly in LOVE, for all the great blessings my God has given me, one of no renown and nothing to offer nor attract the world, yet greater ones have not received as much. 

Image: Kenny Eliason/Unsplash

As I pondered these words, I was drawn last Advent to participate in a four week circle of friends united in contemplative reflections on our own stories and memories of the faith journeys we have been living.  Modeled on the four weeks of Advent and on the four mysteries of Mary’s life, we reflected on MARY as a LISTENING  WOMAN at the ANNUNCIATION, a WAITING WOMAN at her VISITATION WITH ELIZABETH, a DISCERNING WOMAN at the WEDDING FEAST OF CANA and a PROCLAIMING WOMAN at PENTECOST.  In these four roles, I saw Mary at PRAYER at both the Annunciation and at Pentecost and in ACTIVE SERVICE at the Visitation and at Cana.  Isn’t this the full CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE…PRAYER AND SERVICE? Both are DISCIPLESHIP and faith-filled experiences of her life and ours also.  As I recalled and celebrated my own stories, I realized just how much I too, have been touched and graced by such a merciful Saviour who has prepared great things for me and “called me by name”.

Praised be my God who fulfills all!   

-Sister Maureen Meloche, csj

First Sunday of Advent

Reflection 

Image: Waldemar Brandt/Unsplash

In today's gospel St Matthew tells us, " you must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour." This calls us to be aware of Christ's presence in ourselves and those around us - that is being aware of the importance ofthe way we speak to, are present to, and treat others.

One evening in late November a few years ago an elder who was not in very good shape came to my door. I will call her Clara. It was cold and stormy, so I brought Clara into the porch and closed the door to keep her out of the cold.

She told me that she needed some chippin (money). Clara asked me for $50 and told me that she would pay me back on Friday. I told her I didn't have any money to give out. She continued to lessen the amount all the way down to a loonie and I continued to tell her that I didn't have any money to give away.

I was aware of what she wanted the money for, and also of her real need - that was food. Finally, I was able to ask Clara if she would like something to eat. With her positive response I prepared a lunch for her, and she happily went on her way.

Awareness brings presence, acceptance, and openness to others and this is what God is calling us to this week - that is being ready because, "we do not know the hour when the Son of Man is coming."

Sister Bonnie Bryson, csj

A NEW ADVENT RITUAL

SISTERS CREATE AND CELEBRATE COSMIC ADVENT RITUAL

Image: Laura Nyhuis/Unsplash

In Christian tradition, the four weeks before Christmas is called Advent, a season of anticipation celebrating the birth of Jesus at Christmas.  In a larger sense, Advent celebrates the coming of the fullness of God when all of creation including humans has reached its mature completion and God is all in all. This larger view implies that all things evolve and reach a unified Oneness. It is this evolutionary awareness that has led to a more current expression of the traditional Advent ritual.

In 2019 the School Sisters of Notre Dame created an adaptation to the traditional Christmas wreath ritual that includes evolutionary science, biblical hope and brings to life Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si.

The Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland led by Sister Elizabeth Davis implemented this new Advent ritual in their Advent celebrations called Cosmic Advent Wreath.  Briefly, the first candle of the display represents The Birth of the Universe. The second candle represents The Birth of the Solar System. The third candle represents The Birth of Jesus the Christ and the fourth My Birth into the Whole Body of the Universe.

The following two resources, shared below, give the background to the Sisters’ creation and implementation of the Cosmic Advent Ritual.

https://www.globalsistersreport.org/news/theology/arts-and-media/news/theology-shifts-sisters-are-making-christmas-more-cosmic

https://ecospiritualityresources.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/adventinthenewuniversestory.2020.pdf

Image: Aaron Burden/Unsplash

It seems to me that this ritual adaptation is a good example of how to go beyond the traditional ritual and also include it into a larger and more expansive celebration for our time.

-Sister Mary Vandersteen, csj

The Fourth Week of Advent

During these past two years of Covid, planning a trip to see a loved one has been something longed for but unlikely. No doubt the trip Mary took to visit Elizabeth was also longed for but unlikely and then the opportunity presented itself, her great announcement. Angels messages must be shared!

Jewish tradition at the time had two distinct aspects to a marriage: the betrothal period followed typically within a year by a wedding ceremony. Once a couple were betrothed, they were considered to already be husband and wife. It was not uncommon for a child to be conceived in the interim. Thankfully, Mary’s conception would not have raised any judgmental attitudes.

I like to think Mary “went as fast as she could”, or “in haste” to see Elizabeth for three reasons:

1. to share her excitement about her betrothal and her pregnancy

2. to share with her cousin/mentor/dare I say spiritual companion the angel’s message, and

3. to help Elizabeth in her final trimester of her later-in-life pregnancy.

John the Baptist, then ending his second trimester in utero was no doubt leaping in Elizabeth’s womb. What a timely recognition of Mary’s blessed conception. New life, always a treasure.

Now, so close to Christmas, for what do you long? With whom will you visit and share your own blessed experiences in life? Who will you assist through a blessed time which for some is very difficult? With so many ways in which Christ is born daily in our lives how can we help but rejoice and share the good news?

Merry Christmas to all!

Maureen Condon

Image source: Unsplash: Greyson Joralemon

Third Sunday of Advent

The third Sunday of Advent is often referred to as “pink candle” Sunday, and in Latin, Gaudete Sunday indicating rejoicing and joy. The reading from Zephaniah, the Responsorial Psalm, and St, Paul’s words of encouragement, all ring with the tone of rejoicing, singing and gladness. This year as we listen to the news of a seemingly endless pandemic, catastrophic events related to weather, migrants searching for a better future, strained relationships, one might think, “about what could we be rejoicing?” Hearts are broken, lives are fragile, and hope can seem lost.

In the gospel from Luke, we continue to read about the people gathering around John the Baptist, seeking a new way of living, looking perhaps for hope, wondering, asking “what are we to do?” These people had not met Jesus, in fact, they thought that perhaps John was the Messiah, the long-awaited one who would change their lives.

But we have met Jesus. As we ask, what should I do? How am I to be? We need only to remember the two great commandments of love.

““Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.””

— Matthew 22: 37-39

St. Paul’s words, “Let your gentleness be known to everyone,” are key words for me as I reflect on today’s scriptures.

We also celebrate today the National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. This day was established in 2002 by the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council, with the approval of the Bishops of Canada.

The theme this year is We are called to Healing, Forgiveness, Reconciliation. ” We, the Body of Christ, are called to live in friendship and harmony with all peoples. We are brothers and sisters of our One Creator God. God gives everything to all of us. God creates and sustains the wonderful diversity of peoples, cultures, races and creeds.” (2021 Message of the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council)

And so, we ask the question posed to John the Baptist, “What should we do?”

Sister Maggie’s view in Hay River, Northwest Territories

In Hay River, Northwest Territories, where I live our days in December are very short. The sun rises in late morning and sets in early afternoon. Often the afterglow from the sun at this time of year is a beautiful mauve to pink texture. As I drove down the highway today, the soft colours reminded me of the gentleness that St. Paul spoke about …Let your gentleness be known to everyone.

Sister Maggie Beaudette, csj