NOTE: Throughout the Advent season, we have posted reflections on the readings for Holy Days and Sundays on our Advent 2024 page. Most are from previously published Advent guides, like the one below, written by Cathy Woodson in 2012 for the Advent reflection booklet, Voices of Hope, Women of Wisdom: Reflections for Advent and Christmas 2012.
by Cathy Woodson
Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace
Originally published in 2012
2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-11, 16 | Luke 1:67-79
“To shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:79)
Pax Christi USA strives to create a world that reflects the peace of Christ. When I take a moment to think about this, I am reminded of a quote from Mother Teresa: “We belong to each other.” As we live out our faith, we should remember that we are all interrelated, interconnected, and interdependent. When anyone is hurting, we all hurt in some way. We cannot escape the effects of injustices on those living at home or abroad.
Therefore, we are called to resist violence, economic injustices, militarism, and environmental destruction by building relationships with God’s whole creation family. May we continue to use our spiritual gifts to dispel fear and apathy and to be stronger prophets for local and global social justice work. Our greatest challenge is within, holding ourselves to the tasks of reaching out and being in the unfamiliar — to be still and rest in the discomfort of being present to God’s vastly diverse creation. May we remember Mother Teresa’s words — “we all belong to each other” — and may we embrace the chance to listen and learn and to create harmony, justice, peace, and restoration of the spirit.
FOR REFLECTION:
- Are we able to focus on the darkness of today?
- How does your work bring meaning to those who are affected by unjust systems?
>> For more Advent resources and reflections, click here.
Merry Christmas to all members of Pax Christi and to all God’s people
The comment by Cathy Woodson is both deeply profound and amazingly clear. It gives the reader a jolt of peaceful well-being and an understanding of how to manage the caos that engulfs us.
Peace, Love & God Bless You for shining your light so brightly that our light’s are brightened, thus we are able to walk The Way of Christ’s peace!