Welcoming the Holy
Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.
By: Sister Melissa Gernon
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we enter the second week of Advent, we ask that your peace fill our hearts and our world. Help us to be peacemakers in our relationships and communities. Clear out all that is not from you, so that your Holy Spirit can fill us with hope and peace. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Reading (In this case, Art)
Trust in Jesus, Youngsung Kim
©Youngsung Kim, all rights reserved
Christian Art.com
Reflection
This image is from a website called Christian Art. Each day, there is a piece of art, a scripture, and a reflection on how the artwork connects to the scripture. I frequently have fruitful prayer experiences that go beyond the given reflection.
Art can be interpreted in many ways. For me, an image of Mary and Gabriel came to mind. Mary is leaning into Gabriel while peacefully looking outward. She is trying to grasp all that Gabriel has just shared with her. She leans into the strength of not just Gabriel but also her God as she looks outward beyond herself to say yes to God’s plan. She trusts God with a peaceful but immense strength.
This Advent, we are being called to lean into God in new ways as we navigate this chaotic world. We are challenged to look outward and find ways to welcome Jesus into our world anew. What does that mean for you this Advent season?
Closing Prayer
Dear God, you entered our world on Christmas as Jesus, the Prince of Peace. During this Second Week of Advent, as we strive to become the best version of ourselves, fill us with a deep and abiding peace. Guide us to look outward beyond ourselves and share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it most. Amen.
