WAITING IN HOPE
These Advent Reflections
are offered
to the Glory of God,
in loving memory of
Sr. Patricia Forler, SSJD
and as a gift
to the extended
family of
the Sisterhood –
Associates, Oblates,
Companions
and many friends,
in thanksgiving
for our
Common Life
in Christ.
“We give thanks to God
and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
praying always for you, ….”
Colossians 1: 3-4
Forward
Advent 2023
Waiting in Hope
When I was seven, my Irish grandmother brought me a souvenir from the Old Country, a small metal frame painted with a poem which I soon could say by heart, and like a fruitful lectio, it rises up in me when I need reminding.
Said the Robin to the Sparrow,
“I should really like to know
why these anxious human beings
rush about and worry so.”
Said the Sparrow to the Robin,
“Friend, I think that it must be
that they have no heavenly Father,
such as cares for you and me.”1
Though I didn’t know until recently, this conversation between birds is titled “Overheard in an Orchard”. Astute in their appraisal of the human condition, the curiosity of one precedes the pity of the other: clearly these humans have no Advocate – for had they, their lives would be unburdened.
There’s plenty in the world to cause distress, to send us rushing madly off in all directions weighed down with worry and fear, but we are called to live into the Hope that is ours.
Advent invites us into a time of expectant waiting by heralding the hope we long for. The coming of Emmanuel, whose very name means God-with-us, is echoed in this overheard conversation. Jesus came to teach us how to live and how to love – not from afar, but from right here, among us. St. Peter dares us to “always be ready to give an account for the hope that is in you”.2 This year marks the 10th year of these Advent messages and once again, each Oblate’s reflection can be read as a conversation overheard in the orchard of our daily lives.
Suggested readings are included with these entries. May they also be a source of hope in your daily devotions. As we journey on to Bethlehem, we welcome your company on the Way.
Frances Drolet-Smith
1Elizabeth Cheney. 1859
REFLECTIONS FOR 2023 WILL APPEAR DAILY STARTING ON December 3, 2023
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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
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Isaiah 11:1-10Psalm 72: 1-8 Luke 10:21-24 Scholars differ as to whether Isaiah 11 is a messianic prediction or whether it suggests a continuation of the
Monday, November 28, 2022
Isaiah 4:2-6 Psalm 122 Matthew 8:5-13 Isaiah 4:2-6, seems to me to be an overwhelming blessing of compassionate love from God. In general,
Sunday, November 27, 2022
Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44 Advent is again upon us. Why do we keep Advent year after year? There has to
Friday, December 24, 2021
Friday, December 24, 2021 2 Samuel 7:1-16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-29;Luke 1:67-79 On Christmas Eve, it seems strange that the readings do not reflect preparation for the
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