Let all my world be silent in your presence, Lord, so that I may hear what the Lord God may say in my heart. Your words are so softly spoken that no one can hear them except in a deep silence. But to hear them lifts him who sits alone and in silence completely above his natural powers, because he who humbles himself will be lifted up. He who sits alone and listens will be raised above himself.
Guigo II
The word hope I take for faith; and, indeed, hope is nothing else but the constancy of faith.
John Calvin
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
“We must try to perceive Christ in the interruption of our plans, in the disappointment of our expectations, and in difficulties, contradictions and trials. No matter what happens we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him. (Romans 8:28)”
Fr. Thomas Keating
You are a force for peace. Don’t get caught in angry, frightened talk. Choose what goes into your mind. Don’t leave it to the media. Don’t let hostility and resentment take over your life. Step away from the whirlpools of negativity that swirl around us.
Eknath Easwaran, Blue Mountain Center of Meditation
“We must order our lives in particular ways if we hope for perpetual communion. One means: prayer experiments that open us to God’s presence every waking minute. Seek to discover as many ways as possible to keep God constantly in mind. Try to lift every person you see into the light of Christ.
Richard Foster, “Freedom of Simplicity”
“Perfect obedience would be perfect happiness if only we had perfect confidence in the power we are obeying.”
Hannah Whitall Smith, “The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life”
In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet in the way of peace.
Happy New Year 2020! It’s a time for fresh starts, and I’m going to focus on trying to guide my mouth into the way of peace.
The mindfulness exercise for today: Count to three before you speak. This may give you enough time to think about speaking the truth, speaking with kindness and even not speaking at all.
This holy season trumpets God’s extravagant love for us, a love beyond reckoning. Into our beautiful yet wounded world comes Emmanuel, God-with-us, carrying the promise of fresh hope to enliven our hearts. No matter how broken or seemingly hopeless our world may sometimes seem, the Advent messages are rich with joyous expectation and longing, insisting that God can and does bring forth life where none seems possible.
Pope Francis
On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we add the angel to the creche, watching for Joseph and Mary to arrive. Staying out of the stores, listening to meditations, and taking winter walks, it’s amazing how quiet the world becomes.
By His own will, Christ was dependent on Mary during Advent. He was absolutely helpless. He could go nowhere but where she chose to take Him. He could not speak. Her breathing was His breath. His heart beat in the beating of her her.
Today Christ is dependent on us. This dependence of Christ lays a great trust upon us. During this tender time of Advent, we must carry Him in our hearts to wherever He wants to go, and there are many places to which He may never go unless we take Him.
Caryll Houselander, The Reed of God
