Mahatma Gandli once said, “There is more to life than merely increasing its speed.” May our slowing down this Advent be our gentle protest against the violence of our rushing world. May our slowing down give quiet, steady witness to the values of attentiveness, carefulness, patience, receptivity, stillness. May our slowing down enable us to make real and meaningful connections with people, nature, work, art, and (most importantly) with God.

Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God’s own love and concern. - St. Mother Teresa: (1910 – 1997: Founded the Missionaries of Charity)

Gospel Text: (JER 33:14-16)

The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot ;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.
In those days Judah shall be safe
and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;
this is what they shall call her:
“The LORD our justice.”

The season of Advent tells us to prepare for the coming of God's salvation. Advent is a period of prayerful waiting for the gift of hope and salvation that comes to us in the person of Jesus when the Son of God was born a child in Bethlehem. Advent is also a time of prayerful waiting for the Lord's coming in glory at the end of time.

We wait not in fear but in hope that God who loves us will fulfill his promises to save us.