Advent Daily Reflections Header

 

 




Friday of the First Week of Advent

Today's Lectionary Readings
[link removed]

 

The Mass readings Advent have always been favorites of mine for the
themes they frequently address, particularly God's great
reversals - where the proud and mighty are cast down and the
lowly lifted up - as well as God's restoring to wholeness
those who suffer in this world.

In today's readings, both the Prophet Isaiah and Saint Matthew
address the consequences of these great reversals and restorations to
wholeness, when - through God's saving action - people who are
blind and deaf are changed into people with open ears and seeing eyes.
And as important as these miracles were to the individuals healed of
their afflictions in the natural realm, these actions on God's
part - with the Holy Word now audible to the deaf, and those
once blind returned to unfettered sight that pierces the darkness
- continue to have a profound spiritual significance today.

In this terribly divided, not quite post-pandemic world where needs
are so great and resources too few, the darkness of war, poverty,
disease and prejudice too often blind us to the real needs of others,
and the deafening cacophony of our modern world distracts us from
hearing their cries for help. As much as when the Biblical narratives
were first written, what is needed today is a restoration of vision
that clearly sees the dignity of every human person we encounter, and
ears that can listen beyond that which divides to hear the voices of
our brothers and sisters that make up our one global human
family.     

In essence, this is the work of Catholic Charities every day, not just
at Advent, but throughout the year:  to see beyond divisions,
observing the dignity of every person and hearing and responding to
those who suffer; seeing beyond poverty and responding to the cry of
the poor; seeing beyond borders, war and violence and responding to
those who seek safety for themselves and their families; seeing beyond
bars and responding to those still incarcerated, their families and
those returning to society; seeing beyond disability, age and
infirmity, and responding with compassion to those in need of healing
and care.     

This Advent, may God bless us with a clarity of vision to see, and
open our ears to hear and respond to those around us as brothers and
sisters in our one human family.   

Tom Dobbins Jr. is the Director of Social and Parish Engagement for
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, a Producer for the
"JustLove" radio broadcast on Sirius/XM's Catholic
Channel 129, and a Board Member of the Roundtable Association of
Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors. 




View this message in your browser. 
[link removed]

Forward this message.
Update your email preferences.
[link removed]
[link removed]