Throughout Advent, we’ll be sharing reflections on the day’s readings written by a few of our Sisters. Each will share something she is thankful for during this season of preparation, that is, her Advent Appreciation. Share your own #AdventAppreciation with us on Facebook or Twitter!
by Sister Annette Debs
Today’s readings challenge us to reflect on who we are.
John the Baptist is the ultimate example of a person who knows exactly what his mission/identity is. “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert ‘make straight the way of the Lord.’”
John is consciously aware that he is sent “to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners….”
This is our calling too, made even more critical in these days of division. We yearn for God’s favor. We desperately want relief from threats of nuclear war, unprecedented homelessness, the growing inequality brought by laws that favor the rich and powerful, and the obscene number of people imprisoned – greater than any other nation on earth.
A huge part of our identity is and should be our faith in God, who will make “justice and praise spring up before all the nations.” Let us take to heart these hope-filled words from the second reading: “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.” We need only emit the light we are called to be for the people .