
AWAKEN
Advent Reflections
by
the Oblates & Sisters of the
Sisterhood of St. John the Divine
These Advent Reflections
are offered
to the Glory of God,
in loving memory of,
and with deepest gratitude for
our Beloved in Christ
with
heartfelt thanksgiving
for the companionship
and faithful prayers
of
the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine,
our extended SSJD family of
Associates, Oblates and
and many friends
“Grace to you and peace –
I always thank God because I hear of your love
for all the saints and your faith in the Lord Jesus.”
Philemon 1: 3-4
AWAKEN!
“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31
“Awaken!”, the theme for this year’s Oblate Advent reflections, was chosen during our Triennial last May. The 3-day gathering took place online and although we would have preferred meeting in-person, thankfully the technology cooperated, enabling us to share meaningful time together.
In significant ways, the pandemic has distorted our sense of time. Months seem to fly by, yet days and weeks drag on and on. It can feel like an uphill slog at times – sociologists even have a name for it: “pandemic fatigue”. We’re worn out, worn down by precautions and restrictions. Lack of social activities with friends and family, or even solo activities of exercise and travel, have, for many, resulted in boredom, depression, even acute frustration, leading some to ask “What’s the point?!” As people give into despair, tossing masks and distancing aside, this has caused an increased number of cases and the cycle continues.
How desperately we need Advent! Its themes of love, joy, peace and hope awaken in us the promises we know to be true. So then, let us yawn, stretch our limbs and loosen those stiff joints! As we rub pandemic sleep from our eyes, may we see that everything, from our seasonal preparations to the prophetic words echoing down the centuries, contains the power to awaken us to the true work of this holy season: the transformation of the world, beginning with the renewal of our faith and the awakening of our hearts to the needs of others.
May these little embers, the lectio of our lives, awaken within you renewed courage, for it is indeed Good News that our God dwells among us and seeks to restore the whole creation.
Frances Drolet-Smith
REFLECTIONS FOR 2022 WILL APPEAR DAILY STARTING ON NOVEMBER 27TH.
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Saturday , December 24, 2022
Saturday , December 24, 20222 Samuel 7:1-16 Psalm 89:1-4, 19-29 Luke 1:67-79 Christmas eve! Is this a day in which you will be able to

Friday , December 23, 2022
Friday, December 23, 2022 Malachi 3:1-5 Psalm 25:1-14 Luke 1:57-66 “And his name shall be John.” Elizabeth and Zechariah were ecstatic. They were having a

Thursday , December 22, 2022
Thursday, December 22, 2022 1 Samuel 1:19-28 Psalm 122 Luke 1:57-66 In 1 Samuel, Hannah’s love for God is so great that she can let

Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Tuesday, December 20, 2022 Isaiah 7:10-14 Psalm 24 Luke 1:26-38 The first few chapters of the gospel of Luke are filled with stories of “holy

Monday December 19, 2022
Monday, December 19, 2022Judges 13:2-7, 24-25 Psalm 71:1-8 Luke 1:5-25 Our readings today speak of angels. In this modern western culture, we tend to feel
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Sunday, December 18, 2022Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 24 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 My Dear Beloved, O, how I love you! I am grieved when you cannot

Saturday, December 17, 2022
Saturday, December 17, 2022 Genesis 49: 2, 8-10 Psalm 72: 1-8 Matthew 1:1-7, 17 In the reading from Genesis, Jacob blesses Judah highlighting

Friday, December 16, 2022
Friday, December 16, 2022Isaiah 56:1-8 Psalm 67 John 5:33-36 The theme that springs to mind through these three readings is that of following God faithfully,

Thursday, December 15, 2022
Thursday, December 15, 2022 Isaiah 54:1-10 Psalm 30 Luke 7:24-30 Everybody, just wake up! Prior to our gospel reading, Jesus had healed a centurion’s slave

Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Wednesday, December 14, 2022 Isaiah 45: 5-8, 18-25 Psalm 85: 8-13 Luke 7: 19-23 Most of us are aware through media reports

Monday, December 12, 2022
Monday, December 12, 2022Numbers 24: 2-7, 15 -17a Psalm 25: 3 – 8 Matthew 21: 28 – 32 “…how fair are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments,

Sunday, December 11, 2022
Sunday, December 11, 2022Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:4-9 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 When I reflect on the words of Isaiah and Matthew, I know in a

Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Psalm 103 The Luttrell Psalter, made in Lincolnshire, c. 1320-1340 Add MS 42130,

Friday, December 2, 2022
Isaiah 29:17-24Psalm 27: 1-6, 17-18 Matthew 9: 27-31 When I was in grade 5, I visited my grandmother and attended church with her. That afternoon,

Thursday, December 1, 2022
Isaiah 26:1-6 Psalm 118:19-24 Matthew 7:21-27 The readings and the psalm have one thing in common, “the gate of the Lord.” Believing in the salvation

Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Wednesday, November 30, 2022 Isaiah 25: 6-9Psalm 23Matthew 15: 29-39 These passages talk about how God gives us hope by comforting us. God comforts us