On this second Sunday of Advent, here are a few takeaway action items from church this morning. Our senior pastor, Msgr. Joe, challenged us with 5 things (based on today’s Scripture readings) to do this Advent. Deciphering hasty scribbles on a random piece of paper in my purse, here they are:

1. Don’t let darkness rob you of joy. We can’t let darkness cause us to lose hope, to paralyze us. We must keep looking up & carrying on toward God’s grace.
2. Darkness is nothing to fear but is a place to let God’s light shine. When it’s darkest, light shines brightest. Are we open to letting God’s light shine in us & through us when things in our lives are dark?
3. Remember, night gives way to day, the sun comes out again after storms & spring follows winter. Through God’s grace we live & move & have our being. We have to trust God will provide the power to endure.
4. Don’t just hope for better days, join efforts to make them better! We have to roll up our sleeves if we want to see real change happen in us & around us.
5. Don’t forget, there’s lots of work needed ‘out there’ – but first we must allow God to work in our hearts & minds. Are we open to what God is doing in our lives, how maybe we may need to change?

“A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough places smooth. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed…” (Isaiah 40:3-5)

grace, peace & Advent action(s)

Virginia : )

Photos: Grand Canyon, Arizona