How does Advent move us to serve our lords and masters, God

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How does Advent move us to serveour lords and
masters, Gods poor?
from Advent letter of G. Gregory Gay, C.M.


Superior General Advent, 2012
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Advent can be a time that brings out our anxiety
and uncertainty.
Week
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The Gospel for the first Sunday of Advent says
There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars,
and nations will be in dismay... people will die
of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon
the world. (Lk.2125)
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WarsNatural DisastersPovertyHuman
MiseriesCatastrophic ChallengesIgnorance and
Indifference towards God and Church
Week
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How did our founders respond?
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Week
Be vigilant Pray Meditate on the Word Receive
Jesus in the Eucharist Make Jesus the center of
your life Trust in God Undertake a dynamic way of
living the Gospel
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Advent is a time of awareness and anticipation.
Week
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The Gospel for the second Sunday of Advent says
John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of
repentance for the forgiveness of sins... a voice
of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way
of the Lord make straight his paths.
(Lk.32-3)
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BeginningsEndingsNew Liturgical YearEnd of
Calendar YearRegrets About the Past
YearAwareness of Our Sinfulness
Week
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How did our founders respond?
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Week
Rejoice that God is forever with us Thank God for
His forgiveness Practice self-discipline avoid
self-indulgence Focus on the beauty of Scripture,
hymns Advance the reign of God on earth by
serving Christ in the poor
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Advent is a call to conversion to Christ and our
charism.
Week
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In the Gospel for the third Sunday of Advent, we
hear that although the crowds varied from
ordinary folk to tax collectors and soldiers, all
had the same question What should we do? (Luke
310) Johns response was simple and direct
Share all you have with the needy do not collect
more taxes than required do not extort or
falsely accuse anyone and be satisfied with your
wages. (Luke 311-15)
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Is conversion nothing more than a jump in the
Jordan, and then a fleeting feeling of relief?Is
following Christ all about esoteric spiritual
exercises, or abstract religious doctrines?
Week
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How did our founders respond?
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Week
Open your heart for Jesus to enter, and He will
gently reveal new ways to live the Gospel
truths Decide on whom and what do I set my
heart? Minister to others as though they were
Jesus himself Be ambassadors for Christ
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Advent is a time for redemptive action.
Week
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The Gospel for the fourth Sunday of Advent says
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the
fruit of your wombblessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be
fulfilled. (Luke 139-45).
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Do we seek merely temporary relief for those we
serve?How do we handle lifes worries and
anxieties?Do we continue anew each year,
regardless of our ordinariness, our age, or our
state in life?
Week
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How did our founders respond?
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Week
Be a missionary share the Gospel, communicate
life to the poor. Seek not only temporary relief
but redemptive change Remember that ordinary
people in salvation history were called by God to
play extraordinary roles
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May the Lord Jesus bless you abundantly in the
Advent and Christmas seasons