Today we are sharing a reflection from a previous Advent retreat with Sr. Bernie Claps. We hope that it inspires you as you prepare to receive blessings from the Spirit this Advent. (If you’d like to learn more about this year’s Advent Day of Prayer on the 14th, please click here.)
On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him. …Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; The calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox. The baby shall play by the cobra’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair. There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea.
~Isaiah 11:1-2, 6-9
Closing Morning Prayer
Lord, I so wish to prepare well for this time.
I so want to make all of me ready and attentive and available to you.
Please help me clarify and purify my intentions.
I have so many contradictory desires.
My activity seems to be so full of busyness
And running after stuff that doesn’t really seem to matter or last.
I know that if I give you my heart
Whatever I do will follow my new heart.
May all that I am today,
All that I try to do today,
May all my encounters, reflections,
Even the frustrations and failings
I place my life in your hands.
Please, let this day give you praise. AMEN