Monday, 4 November 2024
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United_Kingdom1.png My dear Sisters …
 


 

 

SUORE DELLA PROVVIDENZA ROSMINIANE

Via Aurelia, 773

ROMAAdvent – 2013

                                                                                                                                       

My dear Sisters

The solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe

which we celebrated last Sunday (24 November),

marked the end of the liturgical as well as bringing

the Year of Faith to a close.  

I want to share some thoughts from Pope Francis who

points out that Benedict XVI in advocating this Year, gave us “an opportunity to rediscover the beauty of the journey of faith begun on the day of our Baptism,” and emphasised “the centrality of Christ:  Christ is the centre of creation, Christ is the centre of his people and Christ is the centre of history … Only in him, in him as the centre, do we receive our identity as a people… Today, he is here in our midst …” (Homily on the Feast of Christ the King, 2013)

People throughout the world are always in a state of preparing for some event to happen, small or great: because they are focussed on some future occurrence they run the risk of missing out on the present.  Think of our own lives!  

We are on the verge of the new liturgical year and this time of our Advent journey is also a time of preparation – getting ready for a great event. It is time of waiting and joyful expectation for the Birth of Jesus at Christmas; but Advent itself is also a time of blessing and appreciation because we already know Jesus.

We are invited like  “All Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”. The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there with open arms.” (EvangeliiGaudium No 3)

Pope Francis reminds us of our attitude as true believers: recognizing and accepting the centrality of Jesus Christ in our lives. And so we ask ourselves: are our thoughts Christian thoughts, thoughts of Christ?  Are our actions Christian actions, actions of Christ; and are our words Christian words, words of Christ? When this centre is lost, when it is replaced by something else, only harm can result for everything around us and for ourselves. (cf. Homily on the Feast of Christ the King, 2013)

As we accompany Mary at this time, we ask:  ‘ Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us now’.

We continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in the Philippines, Sardinia and in other parts of the world who are suffering from natural disasters. We respond to the heartfelt invitation of Pope Francis to join forces with our prayer and concrete help; in the name of the Congregation and in union with all the churches in Italy, we have sent a donation, to this collection to be made onSunday, 1 December 2013.

Let us enjoy the present moment of this journey of Advent 2013, as St Paul says:Rejoice in the Lord always …. he is near”. (Phil 4,4) He is here among us today.

Happy Advent journey!

May God bless us all.

Love

c.m.


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