Editor’s note: The Catholic News Herald offers these Advent reflections courtesy of Catholic Relief Services. These Advent reflections, activities and prayers invite us to prepare our hearts to welcome Emmanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), into our world at Christmas.
These weekly reflections, based on the Gospel readings for each Sunday in Advent, connect the journey that brought Mary and Joseph to the stable with the journey of all those communities around the world that continue to encounter poverty.
At www.crs.org: More resources for your Advent journey, including videos, prayers and even a “digital Advent retreat”
LIGHT THE ADVENT WREATH
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit … Come Lord Jesus, be our light! May we learn to recognize You in our daily lives.
READ THE GOSPEL
Second Sunday of Advent (Cycle C) Luke 3:1-6:
“The word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.”
REFLECT WITH A STORY
Today’s Gospel is very specific. We are told the names of the ruling leaders of the government and the church, leaders like Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate and Caiaphas. And we hear the names of the lands over which they ruled: Judea, Galilee and Abilene.
At first glance, all this information may feel unnecessary, even a bit overwhelming. It seems to take forever before we meet our main character, John the Baptist. Why all this information?
The Gospel is specific because God is specific. God works through the people, places and situations in our everyday lives. Each moment is a new opportunity to meet God – and God wants to be present to us in those very specific moments.
For Ana Maria Piedrahita – the founder of Sapia, an artisan group in Bogota, Colombia – God was at work in orange peels. In Colombia, where oranges grow in abundance and fresh-squeezed orange juice is very popular, many vendors have to pay someone to get rid of all those extra peels.
While Ana Maria was traveling, she saw a box made out of old orange peels. This inspired her to use orange peels to make fun, useful items. Ana Maria began gathering up all the orange peels she could find and turned them into jewelry and figurines. Soon her business grew and she was employing other people!
What began as a problem – too many orange peels! – now provides people with a way to earn money and support their families. Ana Maria’s story reminds us to take a deeper look at the ordinary events of our daily lives and to see God at work within them.
PRAY
God of all people, help us to see
You in each moment of our day.
May we always remember that You come to us in the people, places and things we encounter. Amen.
REFLECT
Think about your own life: your family, your school, your work and your friends. How is God trying to talk to you?
ACT
This week, try to find the “orange peels” in your life. Pay attention to God’s presence in one person or situation.
GIVE
Instead of buying your family or friends toys for Christmas, why not give them an ethically produced gift made by someone like Ana Maria? Visit ethicaltrade.crs.org.
LIGHT THE ADVENT WREATH
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit … Come Lord Jesus, transform our lives! Open our hearts and minds to experience joy as we serve our neighbors in need.
READ THE GOSPEL
Third Sunday of Advent (Cycle C) Luke 3:10-18:
“Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none.”
REFLECT WITH A STORY
John the Baptist answers a familiar question in this week’s Gospel: “What should we do?”
How many of us ask ourselves this question when we see members of our global family living in poverty?
John provides a very simple answer. He tells us, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none.” But John the Baptist does not stop there. In fact, as different people in the crowd question him – tax collectors, soldiers and more – he gives answers that are specific to each person. John recognizes that each of us has unique gifts to give – and unique needs based on where we are in our lives.
In the Holy Land, not far from where the angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, a group of artisans carve beautiful nativity scenes out of olive wood. This is how Nawal Gharib provides for her family. The work she does is important – not just because it helps pay for food and other supplies, but because it allows her to share her God-given gifts with others.
Not so long ago, her workshop was dangerous. It was hard to breathe and see, which meant she and her fellow workers often got sick.
Now their workshop is healthy, clean and safe. “This is the best Christmas gift we have ever received,” says Nawal, with a big smile on her face. “Now we are working in a better place, a healthier place.”
What did she need? A safe place to work. Now Nawal and her family are able to ask the question, like the people asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?”
PRAY
Jesus Christ, fill us with Your joy as we serve our brothers and sisters in need. May the joy You bring inspire us to care for each other as one human family. Amen.
REFLECT
How can I serve those in need in my community?
ACT
This week, choose some toys or household items – make sure they’re in good condition – and give them to a family in need.
Share what you have with others! Give a Catholic Relief Services Gift of Hope to a family in need this Christmas. Visit crs.org/gift-tree.