Advent: Catholic ReflectionsSample

In Advent we are perhaps more conscious of the need of our personal restoration and also the restoration of the whole earth - both its peoples and its created matter. Our prayerful reflections bring us to a place of desiring healing, wholeness, and peace for all. We become increasingly aware of our dependence on God and our desire for intimacy with the Lord. We believe that God is coming to save us, that God has saved us, that God is saving us.

Our Bible readings remind us of those hopes, desires, beliefs. Isaiah tells us how creation strains for the glory of the Lord and how creation cannot stop itself from rejoicing. He guides us to the "sacred way" or the highway of holiness and assures us that joy and gladness will go with us. Luke tells us of the moment when Christ revealed himself as God by forgiving the sins of the paralyzed man and also healing is paralysis.

The faith demonstrated by the paralyzed man's friends who went to every length to get their friend to Jesus echoes the straining of creation that Isaiah spoke of.

Perhaps take time to reflect on this question: Are you hungry for Jesus' presence, his healing touch?