During the Tsunami disaster many people around the world responded generosity to the urgent and heartfelt appeals that arose from the devastated areas. This generous response reminds us that something in our nature is stirred to instinctively respond whenever we tune into an appeal to our goodness.

Today, as we begin a brand new Liturgical year, we listen to an appeal to our goodness. Whenever we start something new, whether it is a new job, a new school, or (like me in recent weeks), change countries, we are offered an opportunity to extend ourselves in some way. As we enter this first Sunday of Advent our Gospel could be read and prayed about in the following light: Jesus is stirring our nature to generosity. He places before each of us an appeal that is both urgent and heartfelt. This particular appeal is to be felt by the heart, enabling us to experience new life in the privileged dwelling place of God – the human heart.

We know that excesses of wine or immorality dull our capacity to feel. Few of us would notice and pinpoint the way an excess of worry and cares eat into our peace of heart. Perhaps this Advent, I might surprise myself with my response to the urgent and heartfelt appeal of Jesus.
                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                      Sr. Kathryn, pddm