“Prepare the Way of the Lord”

Advent Reflection for Week of December 7, 2014

Pope Francis is calling the whole Church to an inner transformation that comes about through our encounters with those in need. He challenges us to be willing to leave our comfort zones in order to bring a word of comfort to those who are “starving” for meaning and hope.

Evangelization works both ways: impelled to bring Christ’s love to others we, in turn, meet him in the poor and vulnerable as they touch our hearts and open us to experience God’s tender and compassionate love.

Click here for the daily readings for the second week of Advent.

Within this last week how have you proclaimed God’s love to others? How have you encountered Christ in your interactions with others this week? Who has touched your heart?

As we celebrate the Year of Consecrated Life, we will share with you some of the reflections the School Sisters of Notre Dame have received, such as this one from “The Joy of the Gospel” by Pope Francis:

Let us go forth then to offer everyone the life of Jesus Christ. Here I repeat for the entire Church what I have said often to the priests and laity of Buenos Aires: I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security… If something should rightly disturb us and trouble our consciences, it is the fact that so many of our brothers and sisters are living without the strength, light and consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ, without a community of faith to support them, without meaning and a goal in life. More than by fear of going astray, my hope is that we will be moved by the fear of remaining shut up within structures which give us a false sense of security, within rules which make us harsh judges, within habits which make us feel safe, while at our door people are starving and Jesus does not tire of saying to us: “Give them something to eat” (Mk 6:37) (paragraph #49)

This excerpt is from Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium of the Holy Father Francis to the bishops, clergy, consecrated persons and the lay faithful on the proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world. Click here to read it online.

We invite you to view our Advent Reflection show under Sunday Reflections.