2nd Sunday of Advent 2022
Isaiah 11:1-10 Romans 5:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12
Hi there: My name is Winnie. I was welcomed into Associate Relationship 20 years ago and it was our co-Coordinator Dianne who introduced us to Development & Peace, Caritas Canada 15 years ago. I am currently chair of our Antigonish Diocesan Council. We have been truly blessed by the many who have influenced our lives during our lifetimes, all of whom we are most grateful.
In November we celebrated All Saints, All Souls and Remembrance Day, in the year 2020 we celebrated the 400th birthday of our little Marguerite Bourgeoys, who crossed the waters to come to Canada to change the lives of our children and I guess, each of us. In 2022 we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Associate Relationship and Marguerite’s call to Sainthood. In October we celebrated the 55th anniversary of the birth of Development & Peace. Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. These are all memorable moments in our lives that we are humbled by for they shape our own lives and the souls of those, who through our listening hearts, we awaken into existence.
As I disposed myself for prayer this morning with these scripture passages I prayed to God asking for the grace of wisdom. I didn’t feel the parchment they would have been written on but I was very aware that I was being called to put flesh on them, hoping and trusting that those I touch today would be reminded of those who touched me during my prayer time.
Isaiah spoke of the shoot that came from the stump of Jesse. Back in the early 80’s a little shoot was planted from the tree of life St. Marguerite brought to Montreal when Associate Relationship was born. Isaiah spoke to me of the relationship, the Right Relationship that existed when the world learned to live with the lamb and the weaned child could put its hand in the adder’s den. Paul spoke to the Roman people telling them to live in harmony with one another, welcome all, just as Christ has welcome you (and each of us). In the Gospel John heard “listen to the voice of the one crying out in the wilderness “prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
We are all on mission – to do what is right, to love what is good and to walk humbly with your God. Today I am reminded of the words Justice and Mercy. Marguerite, the saints, departed souls, Isaiah, Paul and Matthew are no longer with us but we are! Our brave soldiers are also, as is Development & Peace. D & P Caritas Canada is a group I choose today to support because it opens my eyes to those crying out in the wilderness, they need me even though I live in Cape Breton and they live in the Global South.
O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; rulers stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. As we await the arrival of the Bethlehem Babe, let nothing keep you from coming to our hearts now and always. The Second Sunday of Advent is all about the Bible, grace us with the gift of your Presence today so that we will become “Good News” to those we meet along the Way!!! Peace and Gods’ most abundant blessings,