Last Sunday of Advent
Give the gift of listening
Prayer to guide us through Advent
Holy One, Essence of Kindness,
each day of this Advent Season
guide us to your love through messages of hope,
easy smiles, opened doors, unexpected generosity,
words of understanding,
forgiving hearts and other signs of human kindness.
Help us to recognise your dwelling amongst us
(Joyce Rupp: Return to the Root. 2021. 225: adapted).
Give the gift of spiritual adventure. In Return to the Root, Joyce Rupp describes the journey of a 70 year old woman, Rose, to the city to care for her grandchildren. Rather than finding her strenuous trip a burden, Rose sees it filled with the remarkable bond of humanity. She envisions it as a spiritual adventure, one that unites her deep self with the hidden beauty of strangers pressing into her space … I must admit that I did not think of standing in long supermarket lines, inching my way through large gatherings at a conference, or sitting in packed airline departure gates as a spiritual adventure … Rose graciously reminded me of the valuable approach I can take when being among a mass of people I do not know. I can relish the mystery, wonder, and strength of our common humanity if I turn my heart in that direction.
(Joyce Rupp: Return to the Root. 2021. 107)
A love capable of transcending borders is the basis of what in every city and country can be called ‘social friendship’. Genuine social friendship within a society makes true universal universal openness possible … how much our human family needs to live together in harmony and peace, without all of us having to be the same …
(Fratelli Tutti #99)
ID 168049105 © Oliver Peters | Dreamstime.com
Reflections
Where can you give the gift of spiritual adventure in this Advent season?
How can hospitality make it onto your Christmas giving list?
