1st Sunday in Advent

Our readings for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. Isaiah 2: 1-5
2. Psalms 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
3. Romans 13: 11-14
4. Matthew 24: 37-44

• Hospitality ministry
• Think of the various ministries that you are a part of.
• What is that community doing to draw more people in?
• How comfortable are all of you with the folks that you have right now?
• What criteria does someone have to meet before they can join that ministry?
• Who came up with those rules anyway?

• Peace in our time
• Those of you old enough to remember the 2nd world war, followed by one war after another ever since probably wonder what our chances are at ever achieving real peace.
• What does it take to achieve true peace?
• Where does that start?
• What is the relationship between peace and justice?
• What can you do to start building peace?

• At the gates
• It's easy to slip into a mindset that sees the world that we are in as threatening, menacing, and throw up defenses against the perceived threats.
• What are some of the threats that you see to yourself, your children, your community, our nation?
• Do you think that there are "the wrong kind of people" that might be trying to get into our churches, our schools, even our families?
• If Jesus ate with tax collectors and notorious sinners, how would He deal with those undesirable folks?

• Getting away from it all
• The examples that Jesus gives are all ordinary people, doing ordinary things.  Nothing about the one who is taken distinguishes them from the one left behind in these little vignettes.
• Jesus's words about the end times certainly paint a grim picture for humanity during those days.  What makes you sure that you will be spared the worst of those end times?
• What do you think it means to be "awake" and "watchful"?
• Do you think that we can/should be maintaining that level of vigilance on our own, or do we need others?
• What can we do to help each other be ready for whatever/whenever?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Am I humble enough to welcome new people into my community?
2. What am I willing to do to build peace?
3. Where can I be more hospitable?
4. What can I do to be more ready for tomorrow, next week, ...?

Arrival

The dust of past horizons cannot be found in our clothing,
The soil of other continents no longer clings to our boots.

But those experiences, those loves, the disappointments
All make us who we are, form the foundation of who we are becoming.

They are really all that we have to offer on the altar,
The only gift that we truly bear.

Not our wealth, or network of friends, or even knowledge.
All we have is all we are, broken, injured even, often afraid.

Nativity is not about taking and giving.
Nativity, arrival, our arrival to this universe bursting with potential

Is all about transformation, even a transubstantiation
Of those dark shadows into gifts to share with others

As they learn how to go through their own transformations
And we together shine the love of Christ

Bright enough to reach anyone who's looking
Bright enough to lead them to a vulnerable, helpless infant

The dawning of Christ within our hearts.

Merry Advent!