Saturday, December 14, 2013
Advent Reflections
Diocese of Newark


Thank you for continuing to journey with us through the season of Advent. You are now journeying together with members of over 60 different congregations in multiple dioceses and over  550 people in all. As we come together in reflection and prayer, we join our voices in praise as we await the joyful coming. 


Scripture  

      

As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. Then he asked them, "You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down." When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

Jesus answered them, "Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah!' and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs. "Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.

 

Matthew 24:1-14

Reflection

 

 

These particular verses in the New Testament were very interesting to me. They spoke to me in a way that made me aware of my everyday actions. In a lifetime people can try to deceive others, nations will fight, and people certainly die; but throughout everything we endure, the one thing that is constant is the love of Jesus.  I recently heard somebody say "Sometimes the way things are, aren't the way things have to be".  This saying spoke to me just like Matthew 24:1-14 did and made me realize: It is in my hands to make a difference in our world.  I believe that we will all be judged one day; not only by our actions but also by our intentions.  I know that I need to be the change that makes the world a better place, as well as have faith in the human race to do the same. 

 
 

Prayer 
 

The Prayer of Generosity 

Lord, teach me to be generous, to serve you as you deserve, 

to give and not to count the cost, 

to fight and not to heed the wounds, 

to toil and not seek for rest, 

to labor and not to ask for reward, 

save that of knowing that I do your will. Amen.

 

St. Ignatius of Loyola


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