The Prior Provincial, Fr. Brendan Grady, recently wrote the following on the Season of Advent:
"On 30 November we entered the season of Advent, a time of preparation for intensifying our sense of desire for the touch of God. During Advent we become awakened and alert to the signs of this divine approach. This season helps us to welcome God anew in the birth of Christ at Christmas.
Over the four weeks of Advent, we might wish to read or listen to the hopes of aching hearts in the prophet Isaiah and the other prophets of the Old Testament of the bible. They dream of a promised experience of blessed and purpose-filled life. In the New Testament, we can hear the summons of John the Baptist who calls upon the people of his day and ours to prepare a way for God. With him, we hear the summons to make straight the way that leads to God. We put aside self-destructive attitudes and patterns of behaviour. They can so easily deceive and entrap us. We allow ourselves to be drawn into a new hope that is incarnated – made real and tangible – in the person of Jesus.
As he was a friend of Jesus, Saint Jude was also a friend of Mary. We will accompany Mary who became the mother of the Messiah in her resounding Yes to God’s invitation to cooperate with the growth of divine life within her. As with Mary, so also with us, God will never force us into submissive compliance. Rather, God entices us, attracts us and shows us what the divine will can achieve in and through us… if only we follow with love. Advent is a time for allowing ourselves to be seduced by the God who is passionate about the good of humanity, fervent with a will to transform human pain into divine joy."
Here are some more reflectiopns and prayer resources for Advent:
At the Angelus on the First Sunday of Advent in 2021, Pope Francis called on each of us to "be vigilant" and to persevere in prayer, which "reawakens the soul from sleep" and helps us focus on what is most important in life.
Let us pray..
All-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
