Immaculata University Advent Reflection Booklet

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Jesus said to his disciples: "What is your opinion? If a manhas a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he notleave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over itthan over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the sameway, it is not the will of your Heavenly Father that one of theselittle ones be lost." Matthew 18: 12-14Today, shepherding and sheep may not be as relevant to our timesas the were during Jesus’ time, but this parable still relates to us.We all know the story of the lost sheep, like the lost sinner thatleaves the herd and goes astray. Every time I hear this reading, Iwonder why should we rejoice over one lost soul? We rejoice togetherwith God and with the Body of Christ, that a sinner hasbeen restored to fellowship with God. He desires that all are savedand all are close to Him.Just as Jesus tells us the shepherd seeks out the lost sheep, soshould we. In our everyday lives we should strive to be seekers ofthe lost, finding those who do not see God in their lives, or thosewho seem to not have hope and faith in the one true Lord. Just thesame, we hope that if we go astray ourselves, someone will be thereto guide us back to the herd. As we approach Christmas, let usgrow closer to God and during Advent, even at all times, I encourageus all to try and be modern shepherds in today’s world.Lord, I ask You to guide me on Your holy path. Help me to find those whoare lost and have gone astray, to bring them closer to You, and show them,through my actions, with Your grace, that You are the one true way.Amen.December 6, 2011Second Tuesday of AdventAmanda MorrellClass of 2012Fashion Merchandising
December 7, 2011Second Wednesday of Advent… they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, theyshall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and notbe weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31The prophet of the Babylonian exile was called to a vocation ofconsolation. It was his role to comfort the Chosen People in theircaptivity and to strengthen their hope in a God who would releasethem from their burdens. His poetic words are fulfilled in Jesuswho reminds us today that He has assumed the burdens of thosewho are willing to come to Him and learn from Him.The Advent message touches the core of our belief. Like the earlyIsraelites, we also await deliverance. The Messiah has come andstill continues the act of coming, but His approach is often inconvenient.He is the student who knocks at the door when we arebusy; the friend who wants to chat when we have a deadline; therequest for help at a soup kitchen when an assignment is due.Christ comes and offers us new life and refreshment. He comes inthe disguise of daily opportunities, and every day He promiseshope and comfort.The days of preparation for the celebration of Christmas present uswith occasions to renew our relationship with Jesus and our neighbors.We gather all our longings and ambitions and, by entrustingthem to Jesus, “God with us,” we consecrate our waiting and rejoiceanew in the gift of Christmas peace.Come, Lord Jesus!Fill up the dark spaces of our lives with your light.Lift our burdens and strengthen our hope.Come – surprise us!Sister Marie Hubert Kealy, IHMDepartment of English
Page 6: November 30, 2011First Wednesday of
Page 10 and 11: December 4, 2011Second Sunday of Ad
Page 14 and 15: And Mary said, “Behold, I am the
Page 16 and 17: December 10, 2011Second Saturday of
Page 18 and 19: December 12, 2011Feast of Our lady
Page 20 and 21: “I am the Lord, there is no other
Page 22 and 23: December 16, 2011Third Friday of Ad
Page 24 and 25: December 18, 2011Fourth Sunday of A
Page 26: December 20, 2011Fourth Tuesday of
Page 30 and 31: December 24Fourth Saturday of Adven
Page 32: Office of Mission and Ministry&Depa

Immaculata University Advent Reflection Booklet

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