First Week of Advent - On The Watch

As the season of Advent begins we are called together as the People of God to prepare a space in our lives for the Messiah to be born into and take root. Over the next four weeks we will share with you a series of prayers and reflections for each week of this very special beginning to the Liturgical cycle of our Church. Portions of these prayers and reflections will be used at our Sunday celebrations throughout Advent and they have been made available in our parish entrances for people to use at home. In sharing these prayers you are joining together with our entire parish community in centering our hearts and souls on the Good News that this season heralds, the Messiah indeed is coming and "...the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

Let us Pray;

“All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

Read Isaiah 2:1-5
“...For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. ”

Reflect
Let's begin this week with a deeply felt prayer. Even if we don't know exactly what we need or long for, today, let's try to express our desire for God's help and assistance.
The readings invite us to be prepared and to be hopeful. This week I could ask for the grace to grow in anticipation of what the Lord is offering me and to ready my heart
to receive it gratefully. What renewal, what end of "hostilities" is our Lord offering me?

Pray
Lord God, help me to be a peacemaker and to give special love to those who disagree with me. Give me the strength and courage to forgive those who have hurt me. Help me to free my heart from anger and hurt.