Preparing for Advent
As Advent approaches, we should begin to reflect on Staying Awake, on Preparing, and getting ready! Prepare for what, get ready for what, we should PREPARE for the Kingdom of God.
Athletes prepare, musicians prepare, artists prepare, people in business prepare, people prepare for retirement, children and their parents prepare for college, etc, etc. We live in a world preparing, BUT are we PREPARING for the most IMPORTANT thing? God’s Heavenly Kingdom! I think this story may help us: “Recording Advent”
Being a mom to Brendan, 7, and Maggie, 4, was the most important thing in the world to Karyn. The best time of the day was when she and the kids would read and sing together. (In 2006) Karyn was diagnosed with breast cancer; earlier this year, she learned that the final treatment was not working. So, with the help of the nonprofit group “LifeChronicles”, Karyn and her husband, Jeff, gathered Brendan and Maggie together in their living room to make a video.
The video, Karyn told her giggling children, was just a fun memento of the moment. The kids knew their mom was sick but did not understand that she would soon be gone. Over the next 90 minutes, they read stories, including Brendan's favorite, Dr. Seuss. Karyn sang the children's favorite lullaby, Que Sea Sera. Mom and Dad and the kids reminisced about family events & vacations.
Karyn and Jeff told the children how much they loved them and loved each other.
After the children left, Karyn & Jeff (shared) on camera how they met and fell in love. "I want them to be able to see me when I'm gone, to see us all together as a family. I wanted something more than pictures, for them to remember me. And to remember how happy we were."
"It's not talking about death; it's celebrating our family," Karyn said. "It tears me up that they won't have a mom, and this is a way I can leave a piece of me with them." As Karyn survived each year despite the initial prognosis, she became more … aware of each … moment … (as a gift). Karyn died when she was 38. She is survived by her husband and two children. And many wonderful memories.
Karyn and her family struggled to “stay awake” and not miss the opportunities life sent their way. Advent reminds us that life gives us opportunities to behold God in our midst. It calls us "watch," to pay attention to the signs of God's unmistakable presence in our lives.
Karyn and her family came to understand, this lifetime of ours, which we so often take for granted, is precious and limited. It is a gift that God gives us so we can discover God in our world (and in each other). (Connections December 2010)
As you get ready for Advent this year, pay attention to God in your life, in the sounds, and the moments that God gives you. To be aware of God in our midst, we need to pray more faithfully, more attentively.
How can we do that?
1. Spend some time in prayer each day (3 minutes – 3 hours).
2. During your prayer allow God’s grace to touch your hearts, your minds, and your wills.
3. Focus each day on doing God’s will!
Our Faith reminds us to be filled with HOPE because our God will not leave us orphaned; our God will return and take us to Himself. St. James said, “Draw near to God and God will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
As Advent draws near may we be reminded: to draw NEAR to God, to SEEK God, to HOPE in God, and INVITE God in our hearts!
May God Be Praised!
COVID 19 Pandemic Prayer
Hear my cry! “Lord, listen to my prayer: turn your ear to my appeal.” You are my refuge and my hope, I turn to you during this COVID 19 Pandemic and plead for Your intercession. In Your mercy and Your compassion “… grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick ….” [Psalm 143 and Collect from Mass Time in Pandemic] Provide strength to the first responders, compassion to the medical personnel, and wisdom to government leaders. End this coronavirus scourge. Send Your light to me as I wander in the darkness of this pandemic and give me hope in Your eternal love today and every day. Amen. [Dcn. George Kelly]
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