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First Sunday of Advent

Readings of the Day 
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Anticipation - that's the word that comes to me as I pray
over the readings for this first day of Advent. 

Seems to me that our society begins preparing to celebrate Christmas
earlier each year.  This autumn, as supply chain problems
threaten the fulfillment of wish lists, the commercialism surrounding
this holiday has geared up particularly early: in some venues, even
before Halloween!  Similarly, I was appalled to see that some of
my neighbors had their Christmas lights shining in the first week of
November.  I guess that's one version of anticipation.

In today's gospel, Jesus says that "people will die of
fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world", but we
in the ministry of charity have no such fear.  Our anticipation
is joyful expectation, because we are secure in the knowledge that on
the day of the Lord everything toward which we have been striving will
be achieved.  The hungry will be satisfied and the homeless sleep
in warmth and security.  The confused and the lonely will know
clarity and companionship.  Immigrants will find their home and
those who weep will be comforted.

But beyond anticipation of the good things to come, we in our work of
advocacy and service are the fulfillment of the promise itself to
those whose lives we touch.  We are among the faithful who pray
to be shown the paths of kindness and constancy, even while we walk
upon them.  While we wait for justice, we work for justice. 

Let us begin this season of anticipation grateful that we have been
strengthened to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at
the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.  Amen.

Having retired after a career of over 30 years in the Catholic
Charities network, Jean Beil now serves as the Regional Coordinator
for Caritas North America.




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