During Advent, we think of the injustice, the evil, the violence that exists in our time and we pray that Jesus’ coming will be a moment of deliverance, mediated through the way we believing Christians live. – Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.
Readings for Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent
Is 40:25-31. Ps 102:1-4, 8, 10, R/ v 1. Mt 11:28-30. www.catholicbishops.ie/readings
The people are not to grow weary and tired, thinking that the Lord has deserted them. Those who hope in him will renew their strength, they will sprout wings like eagles. Jesus promises rest to the weary and overburdened.
Audio: Advent Thought for the Day
Each day during Advent we are bringing you an audio Thought for Today on a different theme. Today’s Thought for Today is from Mary Boyce from Trócaire, the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland. In this piece Mary shares what the gift of a Mother and Baby Care Kit means to the women Gedo, Somalia which is one of the most dangerous places to have a baby due to the limited maternity services available.
Click below to listen to the audio.
Visual Thought for the Day
Today’s thought for the day visual for sharing on social media is from Pope Francis.
The Words of Pope Francis
“Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world. The very first words, then, that I would like to say to every young Christian are these: Christ is alive and he wants you to be alive!”.
Thus begins the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Christus vivit (Christ is alive) by Pope Francis published in April. This year’s Advent Calendar is featuring Pope Francis’ words from Christus vivit which he has addressed to young people , and to the entire People of God and published on 2 April 2019. In the document, the Pope explains that he allowed himself to be “inspired by the wealth of reflections and conversations of the Synod” on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment which took place in the Vatican in October 2018.
Today’s excerpt is on the thirst for life and experience that young people have:
While drawn towards the future and its promise, young people also have a powerful desire to experience the present moment, to make the most of the opportunities life offers. Our world is filled with beauty! How can we look down upon God’s many gifts?
Contrary to what many people think, the Lord does not want to stifle these desires for a fulfilling life. We do well to remember the words of an Old Testament sage: “My child, treat yourself well, according to your means, and present your offerings to the Lord; do not deprive yourself of a day’s enjoyment, do not let your share of desired good pass by” (Sir 14:11.14). The true God, who loves you, wants you to be happy. For this reason, the Bible also contains this piece of advice to young people: “Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth… banish anxiety from your mind” (Ec 11:9-10). For God “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Tim 6:17).
How could God take pleasure in someone incapable of enjoying his small everyday blessings, someone blind to the simple pleasures we find all around us? “No one is worse than one who is grudging to himself” (Sir 14:6). Far from obsessively seeking new pleasures, which would keep us from making the most of the present moment, we are asked to open our eyes and take a moment to experience fully and with gratitude every one of life’s little gifts.
Clearly, God’s word asks you to enjoy the present, not simply to prepare for the future: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own; today’s trouble is enough for today” (Mt 6:34). But this is not the same as embarking irresponsibly on a life of dissipation that can only leave us empty and perpetually dissatisfied. Rather, it is about living the present to the full, spending our energies on good things, cultivating fraternity, following Jesus and making the most of life’s little joys as gifts of God’s love.
(CV 144 – 147)
#LivingAdvent 2019
During Advent are sharing family prayers and suggestions for acts of kindness or charity that all of us are encouraged to undertake during the month of December. The Advent Calendar is also also offering tips on how families can care for our common home by having a more sustainable Christmas.
Advent Random Act of Kindness
This one is especially for young people: Offer to do an extra chore around the house to help your family!
Let’s Be Family – Act of Charity
Support families in need in your own parish – donate to some of the charities operating or to a parish food bank.
Living Advent by Caring for Our Common Home
One of the biggest sources of waste each Christmas is wrapping paper, with more than 8,000 tonnes being used each year – the equivalent of approximately 50,000 trees. Why not pop your presents in reusable gift boxes or if you really have to go for the wrap then at least only use recycled paper and avoid foil sheets.
Advent Prayers
As we remember good times when our loved ones helped us on our way – times of togetherness, family times and moments of friendship –
Let us continue to cherish each one and to do for one another whatever we can, with generosity, recalling what was done for us.
O Lord, help us to continue to love one another. Amen
Our Prayer Intentions for the Day to Pray Together as a Family
- Lord, as we continue through this winter season with its short days and long nights, we pray that the Church’s ministry may bring the light of Christ to all. Lord Hear Us
Lord Graciously Hear Us - We pray for our Holy Father Pope Francis. Keep him safe and give him strength as he continues his pontificate . We pray too for Pope Emeritus Benedict the Sixteenth. We pray for all Church leaders and for all our priests and religious, who give so generously all year round. Let them know that at this time of year especially how much they are appreciated and loved. Lord Hear Us
Lord Graciously Hear Us - At this time of year our thoughts turn to the Holy Land and especially to Bethlehem, the Royal City of David, the birthplace of the Royal Prince of Peace. This Christmas, we pray for justice and peace for all Christians in the land of our Lord’s birth. We pray too for those across our World who are persecuted for their faith. Lord Hear Us
Lord Graciously Hear Us
What is a Jesse Tree?
The Jesse Tree represents the family tree, or genealogy of Jesus Christ. It tells the story of God’s salvation plan, beginning with creation and continuing through the Old Testament, to the coming of the Messiah. The name comes from Isaiah 11:1, “Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.”
Each day of Advent a homemade ornament is added to the Jesse Tree, a small tree made of evergreen branches. These symbolic ornaments can each represent a prophecy foretelling of Christ. Other variations include creating ornaments that represent the ancestors in the lineage of Christ, or using the various monogram symbols of Christianity as handmade ornaments.
Advent Music
This is a piece called Waiting in Silence
