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November 30.   1st SUNDAY OF ADVENT A.  Bryan looked back on the last month and admitted to himself that in many ways it had been a very healing experience for him. He said to himself,   “I know Christmas will still be difficult, but I have grown so much closer to Jesus and hope I will be able to share some of that with my children and grandchildren when we are together these holidays.  I have much more to be grateful for than I had before, but I still have a very real sadness, that I will not be able to share it all with my beloved wife, Joan, in the flesh  and only in spirit.  But we have a month to prepare. What I can do over this next month is pray more earnestly for peace, in Jerusalem and every city and home in the world that awaits the coming of the Messiah, borne in such great love by Mary his Mother and cared for by Joseph, his patient and supportive father.”   

Reflect, share, act. Scripture:  For the peace of Jerusalem, pray. “May they prosper, those who love you.  May peace abide in your walls and security be in your towers.  For the sake of my family and friends, let me say, Peace upon you.  For the sake of the house of the Lord, our God, I will seek good things for you.”  Psalm 122.   Pope Francis:  The Church is a home with open doors, because she is a mother.  And in imitation of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, we want to be a Church that serves, that leaves home and goes forth from its place of worship. Goes forth from its sacristies, in order to accompany life, to sustain, to be the sign of unity … to build bridges, to break down walls, to sow seeds of reconciliation. FT 276. Jubilee.  I am confident that everyone, especially the suffering and those most in need, will come to know the closeness of Mary, the most affectionate of mothers, who never abandons her children and who, for the holy people of God, is “a sign of certain hope and comfort”. SNC24    Act and Pray for compassionate concern for those suffering loss in their families and for peace as a special intention as we begin the Advent season.