10 December. Advent Sunday 2B.  Two candles are lit on the Advent wreath as we pray. After they had participated in a hurting marriage programme Audrey and Josh had belonged to a couple support group for quite a few years. As couples they used a dialogue technique and in the larger group they adapted it slightly so that everyone could share and listen to one another’s stories. This technique was promoted and used at the recent Synodality gatherings. Some members had experienced violence and sexual abuse.  Adam shared how they had also benefited from being involved in the 16 Days of Activism for no violence against Women and Children.  The group listened lovingly without debate as Adam shared that it wasn’t just a women’s issue but something they as a couple had to work through, by sharing their feelings and learning conflict resolutions skills. In the  group discussion time they talked about how common domestic violence is often a question of power and the importance of offering this type of dialogue type resource in the community.     

Scripture:  Do not ignore this one fact, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.    But the day of the Lord will come like a thief and the heavens will pass away with a loud noise and with fire. Therefore, since you wait for these, be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish and at peace.  2 Peter 3:8-14.   Pope Francis.   Climate change is a global issue and is intimately related to the dignity of human life. Our concern goes beyond an ecological approach, because our care for one another and our care for the earth are intimately bound together.   We need to rethink the question of human power, its meaning and its limits.   For our power has frenetically increased in a few decades.   We have made impressive technological advances and have not realized that at the same time we have turned into highly dangerous beings, capable of threatening the lives of many beings and our own survival. We need lucidity and honesty to recognize that our power and the progress we are producing are turning against us.  LD 28.  Reflect, share, and pray:  Pray for commitment to examine the use of power and make the needed changes for a better world and society.  e