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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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
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Thursday, December 23, 2021 Malachi 3:1-5; Psalm 25: 1-14; Luke 1: 57-66 “All these things were talked about through the hill country of Judea” Luke 1:65 (RSV)
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 1 Samuel 1:19-28; Psalm 113; Luke 1:46-56 This past year has been a year of giving thanks with sincere gratitude for both the
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Psalm 33:1-5, 20-22; Luke 1: 39-45 In our readings today, we are called to rejoice and give thanks. I am sure
Monday, December 20, 2021
Monday, December 20, 2021 Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24Luke 1: 26-38 Today’s Gospel reading from Luke is a good reminder that God can come to us at
Sunday, December 19, 2021
Sunday, December 19, 2021 Micha 5: 2-5a,Luke 1: 39-45, 47-55,Hebrews 10:5-10 Mary’s visit to Elizabeth’s home (Luke 1: 39-45) could only be described as divine
Saturday, December 18, 2021
Saturday, December 18, 2021Jeremiah 23:5-8, Psalm 72:11-19Matthew 1:18-25 There are three reversals in today’s Gospel reading, moments when the story is moving in one direction and
Friday, December 17, 2021
Friday, December 17, 2021 Genesis 49: 2, 8-10; Psalm 72:1-9; Matthew 1:1-7,17 All Our Relations In the passage from Matthew’s gospel, there is a list of Jesus’
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Thursday, December 16, 2021 Isaiah 54:1-10; Psalm 30; Luke 7:19-23 Opening to the Blessing of Impermanence “The Only Constant in Life Is Change”- Heraclitus. This truth speaks
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Isaiah 45: 5-8, 18-25Psalm 85: 8-13Luke 7:19-23 Psalm 85: 10 Grace and truth have met together; justice and peace have kissed each other. (Complete
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Tuesday, December 14, 2021 Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13Psalm 34:1-8, 15-22Matthew 21:28-32 I was so happy and proud when I recently made my first profession to SSJD.
Monday, December 13, 2021
Monday, December 13, 2021 Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a. Psalm 25:3-8. Matthew 21:23-27 The way Jesus spoke ruffled many religious leaders. People respected him, but he lacked the
Sunday, December 12, 2021
Zephaniah 3:14-20Canticle 3 (Isaiah 12: 2-6)Philippians 4:4-7Luke 3:7-18 Singing is the expression of love in Zephaniah 3:14-20. God restores and the people sing! Songs of
Saturday, December 11, 2021
Sirach 48:1-11Psalm 80:1-3, 14-18Matthew 17:9-13 God chose a solitary soul from the wilderness east of the Jordan to stand before Ahab and call Israel to
Friday, December 10, 2021
Isaiah 48:17-19Psalm 1Matthew 11:16-19 Matthew speaks to me about prejudice. Both John and Jesus were rejected because they were different – based on the company
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Isaiah 41: 13-20Psalm 145: 1-4, 8-13Matthew 11: 7-15 As we approach the season of Advent, we are invited to reflect upon how it is that
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Isaiah 40:25-31 ‘Psalm 103 1-10Matthew 11:28-30 These texts speak powerfully to oppression, resiliency and hope. For many years, First Nations in Canada have been calling
Tuesday December 7, 2021
Isaiah 40:1-11Psalm 96 Matthew 18:12 -14 My sister and I were quite young when our mother read Bible stories to us as we tucked into our
Monday, December 6, 2021
Isaiah 35:1-10Psalm 85:8-13Luke 5:17-26 “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus…” Isaiah 35:1 When
Sunday, December 5, 2021
Baruch 5:1-9Canticle 19 (Luke 1:68-79)Philippians 1:3-11Luke 3:1-6 There is, I think, a widespread “wilderness experience” in our culture. Ours is a wilderness of chaos, competition,
Saturday, December 4, 2021
Isaiah 30: 19 – 22, 23 – 26Psalm 147: 1-12Matthew 9:35 – 10: 1, 5 – 8 Remembering and recalling can be powerful actions in
