SIA Fourth Thursday of Advent

Today's Advent theme for the Fourth Thursday of Advent to ponder is:

The world’s true light, the Lord, comes with power and might.

So how might we create a Spirituality in Action (SIA) for today from this theme?

My suggestions are as follows:

• Spend some time contemplating the rejection Mary and Joseph faced when they were not received in the inn.  
• Reflect on those who have rejected you in the past and forgive them with God's grace today.
• Pray that the light of Christ will shine through the darkness and hope will given to all.
• Prepare for Christ's birth by receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation and allowing the Lord to come to you with power and might with His graces.
• Sit in darkness for a few moments and then light a candle. Allow that light to fill you and the peace to invade your spirit. Pray to Jesus- the light of the world.

SIA: Fourth Monday of Advent

Today's Advent theme for the Fourth Monday of Advent to ponder is: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. So how might we create a Spirituality in Action (SIA) for today from this theme? My suggestions are as follows:  Spend some time in a quiet place with God today, and enjoy the reward that it will bring. Pray that the light of Christ will grow stronger each day as we approach the feast of Christmas. Share the light of Christ with somone you encounter today. Renew your faith in God today-eg say either the Apostle's creed or Nicene creed and ask God to refresh your faith. Spend some time reading the nativity gospel (Luke 2:1-21) and the passion (Mt 26-28:15) and reflect on God's great love for the world.

SIA Fourth Sunday of Advent

Today's Advent theme for the Fourth Sunday of Advent to ponder is:

Mary bore a son, and named him Jesus.

So how might we create a Spirituality in Action (SIA) for today from this theme?

My suggestions are as follows: 

• Keep this last week of Advent a holy time by some time of reflection and quiet.
• Give Jesus whatever is in your heart: sadness, joy, burdens and longings.
• Pray for all pregant mothers and fathers that they will listen carefully to the name God has named the unborn.
• Pray for all pregant women about to give birth, that their labour will go smoothly for them and the pangs of childbirth will give way to the joy of a healthy baby. 
• Light the fourth candle of the advent wreath and pray for all the faithful depearted that they may see the full glory of God in heaven.
• Pray for all families around the world who have lost a loved one during this year and whose first Christmas without them will not be totally filled with sadness and pain.

Let us keep this last week of Advent a holy time as we prepare for Christmas. Let us remember the true reason for the season of Christmas- CHRIST.

SIA Third Friday of Advent

Today's Advent theme for the Third Friday of Advent to ponder is:

Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

So how might we create a Spirituality in Action (SIA) for today from this theme?

My suggestions are as follows: 

• Reflect on the role of Mary as mother of Jesus giving birth in a stable.
• Reflect on the role of Mary in the Church and in our salvation.
• Reflect on the role of women today and society's attitude to the child in the womb.
• Pray for all pregnant women.
• Pray for all families, those that are close physically and emotionally and those whose families are close physically but distant emotionally.

SIA Third Tuesday of Advent

Today's Advent theme for the Third Tuesday of Advent to ponder is:

The virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, 
which means 'God is with us.'

So how might we create a Spirituality in Action (SIA) for today from this theme?

My suggestions are as follows:

• Pray for all those mothers who are pregnant- those in first trimester, second trimester and the final trimester that they will give birth to healthy babies who are loved from moment of conception.
• Pray for all pregnant parents that they will choose wisely the name for their baby
• Pray for those mothers who miscarry during their pregnancy, that the Lord will be with them in their grief and loss.
• Pray for all those mothers who suffer from postnatal depression that they will be healed and supported in their time of anxiety.
• Pray for those mothers who lose their baby to infant death syndrome that they will be comforted in their pain.
• Pray for those mothers who aborted their child through force or through choice that they may receive healing through organizations who can assist them in their pain (eg rachelsvineyard)
• Spend some time reflecting on what it means to us 'God is with us''. 
• Thank God for the parents He chose for you and for all their efforts.
• If there are any unresolved issues, ask God to help you to forgive your parents for any perceived shortcomings.

As we prepare for Christmas in the busyness of our lives today, let us take time to celebrate

God is with us.

SIA: Third Sunday of Advent

Today's Advent theme for the Third Sunday of Advent to ponder is:

Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.

So how might we create a Spirituality in Action (SIA) for today from this theme?

My suggestions are as follows:

• The Holy Family is born with the birth of Jesus.  Say a prayer for the members of your family, asking God to hold each of them in the palm of His hand.
• Light the rose coloured candle. Pray for all those in our families that have drifted away from the Catholic faith and ask that with God's grace they may return to the light and warmth of Christ's love.
• Today is also known as Gaudate Sunday-rejoicing Sunday.  Take time to reflect on our lives and all that we have to rejoice about even in the midst of sadness, grief and difficulty.

Let us spend some time this day giving thanks to God for our circumstance in life  and rejoice. Even in the most tragic of circumstances, there is always something however small to be grateful for. Rejoice in that aspect.

SIA: Second Friday of Advent

Today's Advent theme for the Second Friday of Advent to ponder is:

I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go.

So how might we create a Spirituality in Action (SIA) for today from this theme?

My suggestions are as follows:

• Doubt, anxiety, and loneliness can crowd our hearts. Let us take some time to list them and then ask God to erase them and reassure us of the season's joy. 
• Pray for those who suffer alone that they may be given the support they need and be healed.
• Reflect on the times we have prayed for something incessantly and did not get it, and later received something so much better for our good. Let us thank God for knowing what is best for us.
• Pray for those who do not have a direction in life at this time, that God will lead them on the way they should go.

God loves us and always gives what is best for us in every circumstance. Let us ask the Lord to teach us today what is for our good and lead us on the way we should go. 

SIA Second Thursday of Advent

Today's Advent theme for the Second Thursday of Advent to ponder is:

You shall rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the Holy One of Israel.

We take a moment this 12th day of Advent to reflect with joy on the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, which we celebrate this day. Today we celebrate Mary our mother, conceived without sin.

So how might we create a Spirituality in Action (SIA) for today from this theme?

My suggestions are as follows:

• Imagine meeting God when we reach Heaven. Start living that joy today.
• Pray for the gift of a pure heart, and for her gentle guidance.
• Pray for all expectant mothers, and ask God to guide them through their pregnancies.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we make a good examination of conscience.
• Participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance today/this advent.
• Think of our tendency to sin- choose one area and  make the effort not to sin in this area of our lives today. At the end of the day, rejoice in the Lord for the help He has given us.

Mary was conceived without original sin because she was to be the mother of God.  Although we are born with original sin and a tendency to sin, we can, through daily effort try not to sin.  Let us endeavour to be free from sin today.

SIA: Second Monday of Advent.

Today's Advent theme for the Second Monday of Advent to ponder is:

Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain 

and hill shall be made low.

So how might we create a Spirituality in Action (SIA) for today from this theme?

My suggestions are as follows:

• Stay with Jesus in prayer today. You may wish to attend Mass and stay with Jesus and linger with your best friend, after Mass is over.
• Stay with Jesus in prayer today: Visit a church/chapel and spend time with Jesus so that we are drawn deeper into His friendship.
• Stay with Jesus in prayer today: In between tasks at work, take an extra moment before commencing the next task and offer a prayer (spontaneous such as Come Lord Jesus to me today or formal such as Our Father or Hail Mary etc).
• Reflect on the image of the valley being filled in and the moutain and hill being made low. What are the valleys, mountains and hills in our lives that need filling in and being made low. Decide on one of these areas and work on it with Jesus during this coming week.
• Prepare to make a good confession this Advent.

May the valleys, mountains and hills of our lives be filled in and made low  during this Advent.

SIA First Friday in Advent

Today's Advent theme for the first Friday of Advent to ponder is:

The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord, 

and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

So how might we create a Spirituality in Action (SIA) for today from this theme?

My suggestions are as follows:

• Since Advent is a season for waiting, embrace the opportunites given today to wait joyfully on the Lord and on all we meet today.
• Pray for those who have terminal illness asking the Lord to give them hope and courage.
• Ask yourself': What does finding joy in the Lord mean to me? 
• Go without something today that is taken for granted normally- examine how you feel and think about this during the day and review your thoughts at the end of the day- did you really miss it? Did it help you to free your spirit and rejoice in the Lord?
• Place yourself in a queue today and feel what is like to wait patiently.

Waiting can be positive and negative depending on how we think of it.  Waiting in a queue at the supermarket can be frustrating at this time of the year if we are in a hurry and we have only a few articles. Do you notice on those days, everyone else seems to have a huge trolley?  Acknowledge the frustration and think of what you would really have done if you had got through the check-out more quickly.

During Advent why not learn the art of waiting patiently.  As you are doing your weekly shopping,  instead of feeling the frustration, the racing forward in the mind of future tasks, try and stand patiently in the queue and 

1. say an "Our Father or Haily Mary "( or a prayer of your choice) for the checkout person, and the other customers who are ahead of you.  You will be asking the Lord to send these people blessings.
2. Say a prayer asking God to help you experience the sense of joyful waiting, and then watch,listen and observe others around you as your spirit  remains calm, patient and  joyful.

Thank you God for all the advent blessings that You have for each of us today.

SIA: first Thursday of Advent

Today's Advent theme for the first Thursday of Advent to ponder is:

The way of the just is smooth; the path of the just you make level.

So how might we create a Spirituality in Action (SIA) for today from this theme?

My suggestions are as follows:

• Give honor and glory to God during Advent by sharing our gifts freely with those in need. 
• Ask God for the grace and insight to use our time on earth wisely.
•  Reflect on the scripture quote- what areas in lives are we just/unjust?  What areas of our lives are unlevel?
• Prepare to make a good confession this advent. Set aside some time today for a thorough examination of conscience.
• Help to make a person's situation smooth or level today by an act of kindness. Even people with a smooth exterior can be flustered interiorally.

The way of the just is smooth because God makes it so.  

May we ask God to help us examine our lives and learn to walk the way of the just this advent.

SIA; First Wednesday of Advent

Today's Advent theme for the first Wednesday of Advent to ponder is:

Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! Let us rejoice and be glad!

So how might we create a Spirituality in Action (SIA) for today from this theme?

My suggestions are as follows:

• Pray for courage for all priests and religious whose special ministry is to spread the Gospel.
• Look for God in our day today- when in need ask Him to come and save us.
• Review our lives and remember the times God has come to save us. Rejoice and be glad.
• Consider one action that you will take today to express your desire-"Come Lord Jesus".

Today is the feast of St Andrew- brother of St Peter.  Scripture tells us:

'One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
He first found his brother Simon, and said to him,"We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter).(Jn 1:40-42)

We might like to consider today who we will bring to Jesus. Do we need to bring ourselves first so that Jesus will give us a 'new name''?

Who will we bring to Christ today/this advent season?

SIA; First Tuesday of Advent

Today's Advent theme for the first Tuesday of Advent to ponder is:


But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.


So how might we create a Spirituality in Action (SIA) for today from this theme?

My suggestions are as follows:

• Christmas is a time of giving, not exchanging gifts.  So if you are not yet predisposed to give a gift to a family member/work colleague, offer a novena of prayers/masses during advent before you walk the pavement for his/her gift.
• We all need healing, but each of us could easily specify whether it is our body, mind, spirit or all three. Why not attend an anointing of the sick mass in your parish. The blessings of God's healing is amazing. We can also revise what we can do to walk our path towards healing.
• If you can assist someone in need today, do so. If you cannot, then offer a prayer for those who suffer from want.
• Plant a new seed in your life-explore a different gift that God has given you and that is yet been underused or dormant.

You may wish to understand more about this scripture quote in my Jesse Tree Series.
A shoot needs caring for before it can shoot and a bud blossoms when it has roots.  
What buds will blossom in your spiritual life during this advent.  What buds of yours will blossom forth this day?

SIA: Monday First Week of Advent

Today's Advent theme for the first Monday of Advent to ponder is:

For over all, his glory will be shelter and protection:

shade from the parching heat of day, 

refuge and cover from storm and rain.

So how might we create a Spirituality in Action (SIA) for today from this theme?

My suggestions are as follows:

• Pray for peace since the love of Jesus is desperately required all over the world.
• Examine my own heart and ask God to enter it throughout the day. A short prayer such as ''Come Lord Jesus' or 'shade me from the parching heat of this day/this moment at my office/home or give me refuge and cover me from the storm and rain of the busyness that surrounds me'.
• Pray that peace may enter all hearts and places where conflict lingers. (eg office/home/parish).
• Resolve that when you address your Christmas cards this year, that you will offer a brief prayer for each of them.
• Visit a church and light a candle for the needs of the world, the need for peace and the needs of those who are homeless.
• Reflect as a family this evening as the advent wreath is lit how God has given you shelter,protection, shade or refuge throughout this day. Offer a prayer of thanks and gratitude.

These are a few suggestions to encourage you to make this advent a time of spiritual growth. 

What will YOUR SIA be today?

Spirituality in Action: Advent Series-First Sunday of Advent

 WELCOME TO MY SPIRITUALITY IN ACTION ADVENT SERIES.

 Happy New Year.  Today the Church celebrates its new lirgucial year.  It is a great opportunity to reflect on our past 12 months, and then resolove to grow in holiness this coming year.  However, if you are like me, we cannot leave this to chance or to the whim of the moment.  I need a plan at least. 

As I enter into the quiet of Advent, despite the world's pace quickening in anticipation of Christmas, my plan is to:

• embrace the practice of daily prayer more fully- ie be more commited to it and faithful.
• use moments of the day for reflection  of the theme of the Gospel of the day.
• Light the advent wreath candle at home, bask in its light of hope and allow myself to hear God's voice.
• Use my reflection questions from my opening prayers series Year B to accompany me.

Around the world, the seasons change. In the northern hemisphere advent is celebrated with the onset of the darkness of winter, whilst in the southern hemisphere,advent is close to the commencement of brightness of summer. 
Whether north or south, remember the gospel message for today is universal

 Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.