The Peace Candle is Lit

Reflection for the Second Sunday in Advent: The Peace Candle is Lit.

“Comfort, O comfort my people, “ (Isaiah 40, 1-5)

Looking at the big picture right now, the world could use a little comfort. But alas, we wait. We “wait on the Lord” indefinitely for a time of peace. We also wait for times of personal peace in our own hearts and souls. The question is “ how do we find peace in our waiting?”

• waiting for the kettle to boil

• waiting for a baby to be born

• waiting for a loved one to die

• waiting for the pandemic to be over

• waiting to retire

• waiting for a healing

(think of the man who waited 40 years at the pool of Bethesda)

Image: Unsplash/Laura Nyhuis

On it goes. We wait and wait; sometimes with anticipation and hope, sometimes in fear and dread. Sometimes our waiting can wear us down. Our waiting can often be compared to a walk in the dark. We must go through the darkness day by day, to get to the light. But think of the times in your own life when the trial did end, you got the call, the illness was healed, the baby was born, retirement arrived and the light did come. Is there a lesson here? Is there a cycle here that faith can alleviate? In most cases, the answer is yes! Of course, sometimes there is no happy ending and we must accept the inevitable death of our dreams, hopes and expectations.

Image: Unsplash/Jonathan Meyer

For me, the most difficult wait is the one where fear takes over our usually rational mind. My equilibrium is upset. My racing thoughts won’t cease and my mind takes over. It is said that the ego must always find something to nag us about. This is the time where a regular spiritual practice is important to my wellbeing. It is possible to let go of the ego mind even if it is temporary. I can centre myself in God’s presence and I can find my affirmations one more time and remember to say them. One of my favourites is, “ Let us abandon ourselves Into the heart of LOVE, for LOVE’s grace abides wherever we are.” I believe that this is what John the Baptist is telling us when he says to “make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Make way for that space within myself where peace resides. Because it does reside in each of us. And so we pray, pray, pray.

And let us be comforted in hope by the words from Isaiah: “he will gather the lambs in his arms and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.” Be comforted by the words in scripture and in the beautiful music that is available to us. And finally, St. Peter has some words of wisdom for us:

Image: Unsplash/Tamara Menzi

“ Therefore, Beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace.”

( 2 Peter 3, 8-14)

- Marg Maheu, Associate

Keep Alert. Keep Awake.

ADVENT I - An Advent Reflection on Mark 13: 33-37

(Advent Reflection on Mark 13:33-37)

Dear Jesus,

You came to us, so long ago, as a precious babe lying in a manger.  Shepherds and Magi, alert and awake to their surroundings, came to visit. 

Years later, thousands of others heard your messages, the greatest being, to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbour as yourself.

At times, there were misunderstandings, “Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty or sick?”  You explained that whatever is done to the least of us, it is done to you. I believe that means you are always with us. 

Yet, you said, you will come again.

Since we do not know the day or time, you told us to always keep alert and awake.  This, however, is humanly impossible. Remember how you asked Peter and the sons of Zebedee to stay awake but they didn’t, not even for an hour?  You rebuked them, yet, continued to love them and forgave them.  Will you not do the same for us?  If that is so, then we need not worry.

We’ll try our best, Lord, to be awake and alert to the needs of others, to love one another and to love you.  We will, however, fall asleep, from time to time. When we do, may we, with each new awakening, rise up and start anew.

We do not know the future.  Thankfully, we believe and trust in your love and mercy.  For this, we are truly grateful.

As for the present, we will take your teachings to heart and strive to live in hope, peace, joy and love this advent season and all other seasons to come.

Amen.

Written by: Fernanda Estoesta, Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph 

33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” - MARK 13: 33-37

IMAGE: Unsplash/Waldemar

Advent - A Celebration of Dreams and Miracles

Advent 2023: A Celebration of Dreams and Miracles

By Sister Melannie Svoboda, a Sister of Notre Dame residing in Chardon, Ohio

Image: Unsplash/Robert Thiemann

This Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent. Advent is the season of the church year that celebrates dreams and miracles. The dry parched desert can burst into a field of poppies and forget-me-nots… Helpless little lambs can snuggle next to mighty ferocious lions… A wild scrawny man dressed in animal hides and munching on grasshoppers can cry out in the wilderness, “REPENT!” and large crowds can listen to his rantings and be dramatically changed… And a young girl, living unnoticed in Podunk, can answer “yes” to an impossible Divine Request and conceive a child who will turn her life and the whole world upside down.

The readings of Advent give testimony to all of these remarkable things. Maybe that’s one reason so many of us are drawn to them. For they tell us: What you see is not all there is. What you assume is the end, is actually the beginning. What you hear is not the final word. What you desire in the deepest recesses of your heart can still be. The incredible things God has done in the past, God is doing in the present. Right now. And God will continue to do such unbelievable things into the future–no matter how bleak, dark, or hopeless our present time may seem.

God is doing miraculous things no matter how bleak, dark, or hopeless our present may seem.

But there’s a catch. God needs us. God needs us to help make these dreams come true, to help work these impossible miracles. In the past, God needed an Isaiah to keep the vision of hope alive before God’s people. God needed a John the Baptist to proclaim the message of returning to God. And God needed a Mary to dare to say “yes” to God’s request as no other handmaid before her had ever done. So Advent is not a time to set up permanent residence in comforting readings that promise a better future. No, it is a time to partner with God wherever we may find ourselves this Advent to help bring about that better future for which we long.

How do we do this? The ways are countless. They are limited only by our imagination and resolve. Many of these ways are mighty deeds though they may seem to be pitifully small. Allow me to suggest a few.

The refrain for Advent is, “Come, Lord Jesus.” Perhaps we can make this refrain our mantra this Advent as we go about our day. When we first crawl out of bed in the morning, we can say, “Come, Lord Jesus into my entire day. The easy parts, the nice parts, the fun parts. But also, Lord Jesus, come into the messy parts, the unpleasant parts, the difficult parts.” And when we crawl back into bed in the evening, we can say, “Come Lord, Jesus. Give me rest and strength this night so I may partner with you again tomorrow.”

Choose one way to make your small world a better place. Do this by following Jesus’ way of unselfish loving. Speak kindly to others. All others. Sometimes we’re kinder to total strangers than we are to the people we live and work with every day. Sometimes we’re kinder to others than we are to ourselves. Overlook some things. Go the extra mile. Where there is little or no love, put love and there will be love.

Image: Unsplash/Laura Nyhuis

Your attention is a valuable gift. Find ways you can give your attention to someone in your life who is overlooked, taken for granted, living on the margins. It can be a family member… a co-worker… a friend… a neighbor… a pastor… a store clerk… an overworked parent… a shut-in… a caregiver… Simply ask yourself: Who is in need of a gentle word, a “thank you,” a smile, a compliment, a note, a phone call, a visit, an offer to help? In English we use the phrase “pay attention.” There’s always a small price to pay when we focus our attention on someone else.

And finally, my prayer for all of us this Advent 2023 is this:

Come, Lord Jesus! May the readings of Advent bring us great consolation. May they encourage us to dream for a better world. May they strengthen us to partner with you to bring about that better world we hope for. Give us a greater appreciation for the miracle of your life of selfless loving, a miracle we can share in every day. This Advent rekindle in us the deepest longings of our hearts for love, peace, goodness, beauty, and truth. Come, Lord Jesus, come! Amen.

For reflection:

Did anything stand out for you in today’s reflection?

Do you like the season of Advent? Why or why not?

How do you plan on celebrating or observing Advent this year?

Our song today is the Advent/Christmas song, “Beyond the Moon and Stars” by Dan Schutte. It captures so beautifully our longing for God… for peace… for light in the darkness.

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Advent 2023: A Celebration, used with kind permission from Sister Melannie Svoboda.

Sister Melannie, a Sister of Notre Dame resides in Chardon, Ohio, USA. She counts herself very lucky! Melannie was raised in a loving family on a small farm in northeast Ohio. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame right after high school. Over the years, her ministries have included high school and college teaching, novice director, congregational leadership, spiritual direction, retreat facilitating, and writing. If you are interested in more of her writings you can find them here.

A Pilgrimage

I was given the privilege of attending the Mission Alive Program in LePuy, France in September of this year.  It was a journey of self-discovery for me and for many of my colleagues from around the world who are partners with the Sisters of St. Joseph.  We were there as pilgrims, not as tourists, and we were guided by Sisters who helped us slow down and reflect.

Part of our week included a guided tour of Mother St. John Fontbonne’s home, as well as a trip to visit her grave in Lyon.  We learned about her life and the historical portion of the Sister’s beginnings, yet it was the thoughtful prayers and reflections at the graveside that highlighted why we were there.  Frankly, it brought more questions than answers…

Who was this strong woman who led her young charges into the unknown? 

How did the Spirit move in Mother St. John Fontbonne?

What can I learn from her example of strength and courage?

How is the Spirit moving in me?

I picked up a pebble from the grave to mark the day and it became a touchstone, a memory, an urging to move towards answering those questions.

-Guest Blog by Michelle Vermeeren, Staff, Sisters of St. Joseph

Remembrance Day 2023

As a child of the 50’s, preparation for and attendance at Remembrance Day ceremonies was exciting and significant. My Dad and two uncles had served in World War II so it was very exciting to watch them parade down our main street with their comrades proud with the thought there would be no more war. In school we prepared by memorizing and reciting “In Flanders Fields”. Though I am sure our teachers told us the story of the poem’s origin, now in my 70s, I have lost memory of those details and wonder if you may have too.

John McCrae, The author of “In Flanders Fields” was born in Guelph, Ontario to Scottish parents. John was described as warm and sensitive to people and animals. A bright student, he showed interest in the military and in writing poetry. He was the first student from Guelph to win a scholarship to the University of Toronto. There he completed his medical training while also publishing many poems and short stories. He joined the military and led a battery with the Canadian field artillery during the South African war. In 1914, when Britain declared war with Germany, John McRae enlisted - along with the 45,000 other Canadians stepping forward to serve. He was 42 at the time so was posted as a medical officer. In 1915 while in Ypres, Belgium, his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was brutally killed in action. Lieutenant Helmer’s remains were buried in a makeshift grave in a field where many crosses marked the graves of so many unknown soldiers. The poppies were just beginning to bloom. The next day John, while sitting on the footboard of an ambulance reflecting on the tragedy of the day before, penned “In Flanders Fields” in 20 minutes. It is the most widely read poem in honour of those who have given their lives in the hope for peace.

I would invite you to read his beautiful poem with me every day we pray for peace.

-Maureen Condon, Associate, Sisters of St. Joseph