FIRST ADVENT CANDLE
Advent is a surprising time each year for me. It is so hidden. It is like the lightening candles in the windows of Ireland to find back home in dark times or it is like hiding the eucharistic bread in between of corn tortillas during the civil war in El Salvador...how are we able to light this candle every year for two thousands years still hoping with so many forces trying to destroy our hope - not the least our personal or social pessimism? - because it is not about us and our individual horizons, or our feelings, but it is about a people, a community all over the world that lights a candle with the conviction that all of us together make a difference. Prof. em Bill O' Neil talking at the ISLC Thursday events about his presence in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenia, one of the biggest in the world - lighting a candle - the soccer players from Iran at the World Cup not singing the national anthem to support women rights - lighting a candle - Europeans open homes for Ukranian refugees - lighting a candle - a young mother trying to raise children in these times - lighting at least one candle if not multiple ones each day!! endless candles of endless examples of light... The darkness will NOT overcome. Advent is a time of being so aware of a community of hope! A community that believes beyond our own personal faith. Not with words but in truth and reality. I very much wish that each one of us experiences being part of the community of Saints far beyond our reach - receiving faith to light a candle each Sunday during this Advent time - and - giving faith by lighting it.
So grateful for all the people who are behind our opportunities to experience Advent this year!! Frank for the beauty of music during our Advent evening prayer, Darren May for preparing with Noelle an amazing Advent retreat with an embodied YOGA experience in silence, personal journaling and sharing, the Young Adults with Sara for their absolutely stunning contemplative multi-lingual music experience during the Taizè prayers...thank you all for lighting a brightly shining unique candle inviting others to burn.
Thank you!
Peace and blessings,
julia
