Sister Evangeline Salazar, OSB reflects on the scripture readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalms 25, 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-35

Preparing

The First Sunday of Advent;

What is it

We’re preparing for?

The incarnation

Of the Child Jesus?

A babe

Wrapped in swaddling clothes

And laid in a manger?

Or

Do we prepare

For the Son of Man

Coming

Clothed in power and glory?

In the midst

Of chaos and confusion

To you, O Lord,

I lift my soul.

Do we dare

Lift our souls,

Our very selves,

In prayer

To our God?

How often do we pray?

Lift our voice to God

Supply God

With a “to do” list

God, feed the hungry,

God, tend to the sick,

God, get rid of COVID,

God, fix our corrupt government,

God, I’d like to pass this test

If it’s not asking for too much.

Let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, hear our prayer.

Our prayer is not static

We launch it,

It comes back to us.

God works through us,

God does not replace human effort.

God does not override our freedom.

We pray, ask God to do

To be there for us.

When we pray,

Do we remember

God works through us?

We are God’s hands,

We do our part

And God does Hers.

Today,

In a world desperate in confusion,

What do we pray for?

Listen to Pope Francis:

God still offers a new day,

A time of reverence and justice

For Earth and all her creatures.

Advent is a season of Hope

We listen to Jeremiah, Jesus, and Francis.

We hear the scriptures

In the light

Of the signs of our times

And we pray to the Lord.

Lord, help us to take responsibility

For our prayer

Lord, hear our prayer.

Some of the ideas were taken from Mary M. McGlone; NCR, November12, 2021