3rd Sunday in Advent

Our readings for the Third Sunday of Advent are:

1. Isaiah 61: 1-2a, 10-11
2. Luke 1: 46-48, 49-50, 53-54
3. I Thessalonians 5: 16-24
4. John 1: 6-8, 19-28

• Spirit flying low
• What do you think the anointing of the Spirit does for/to us?
• Does that only come to us via a sacrament, or is every move of the Spirit intrinsically sacramental?
•  How can we be more open to the Spirit's promptings?

• How much mercy do I need?
• How would you define divine mercy?
• Have you ever felt that mercy in your own life?
• How can we become more aware of that mercy?

• A for prophet organization ...
• Who are the prophets among us these days?
• How are their words being tested/vetted?
• What can/should we do to take better advantage of God's message to His people in the here and now?
• How do you know a prophet when you see one? 

• The Messiah is among you
• There is a story about a dying cloister of Jewish monks at: http://www.community4me.com/rabbisgift.html that has always struck me as magical.
• Name some of the ways that Christ is present among us today?
• Which of those is incarnational, that is, they involve Christ coming to us in human form?
• If Christ continues to incarnate among us, how can each of us better fulfill the charism of Joseph, of Mary, of John the Baptist, of Jesus?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. What am I trusting the Spirit for today?
2. How much mercy am I willing to receive?
3. What am I doing to be prophetic in my company.?
4. If I believed the Messiah was in my family, community, parish, what would chang?

Shalom!