Dear Friends,

This Sunday's first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah calls us to "heal the broken hearted... proclaim liberty to the captives... and announce a year of favor from our God". It occurs to me that in reading this, one's automatic response is to think of others... perhaps a friend who has recently experienced the death of a loved one, or our president elect's promise to close the disgraceful Guantanamo Bay detention camp and deal justly with those imprisoned there, or maybe we know of others in our lives who have suffered beyond what seems endurable, and rightly deserve a 'year of favor'.

I am wondering, however, if we internalize this prophecy as being proclaimed to us personally rather than to "others", how might it speak to our spirits: in what way might you be in need of healing? Might you be walking around with a broken heart? What in you and in me is in need of liberation? What in you/me holds you/me captive? What desire would a "year of favor" fulfill in you/me?

Our liturgy this Sunday will include an extended Rite of Reconciliation, an opportunity to look at our personal lack of freedom and release our hold on the chains we self impose and the scars from those imposed by others, and to experience together as a community, the release and liberating grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In reflecting on these readings and our planned time of reconciliation, I rediscovered this quote from Elie Wiesel, a man who truly knows the value of liberation and who holds the capacity to transcend imprisonment. I think it speaks an especially meaningful Advent message to we who "wait in darkness":


If you are looking for a "spiritual home" to support as you "Prepare the Way" this Advent, we invite you to join us at the Spirit of Life. As a community, we try wholeheartedly to "be Christ" to one another, to tend to the needs of one another and to those in need in our world. Together, we celebrate our belief that we are being transformed by God's grace as we gather together in prayer. We warmly invite you to come and gather with us at our Table and join in our experience of the 'kin-dom' of God. We are an inclusive, open, affirming and interactive community, deeply committed to being a people of 'justice and joy'.

Loving blessings to you as you "prepare the way for a loving encounter" this Advent,

Find more about past weekly reflections and podcasts in our ARCHIVE PAGE.