Postcard Two
I dreamed that I saw him walking in the cold, dark night. The wind blew the clouds across the stars, and I could only just make out his thin shape carrying a heavy bundle on his back.
He stopped at the first door on the right and knocked. But the people inside never heard because they were quarreling so loudly.
At the next house, he didn’t even have a chance to knock because the dogs barked and strained at their chains as if to say “No one is welcome here.”
The next house was no better because the people were hiding behind the curtains, peeping out in fear. At the next, they were all sound asleep and in the house beyond, the noise of the singing and dancing drowned out all the gentle knocking.
This went on for what seemed like miles. No one ever answered the door. Usually, no one even heard the knock and, if they did, they all had reasons for not opening their doors.
I was weeping now and praying that someone would open the door. Anyone.
Then I realized that my weeping was blending with the prayer coming from the final house in the town.
I could see that there was a man who was dying. His family were gathered around him praying. “We praise you, Lord of heaven and earth for your mercy towards us.”
When the knock sounded at the door, one of them eagerly ran to open it and pulled the stranger inside. As this kind welcomer took the stranger’s pack from the weary back, the stranger said, “It wearies me to carry so much mercy on my back and find no one who wants it.”
Then he opened his pack, pulled out healing remedies, and restored the dying man to his family.
“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.”
Gospel for Monday of the First week of Advent
Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God, as we await the advent of Christ your Son, so that, when he comes and knocks, he may find us watchful in prayer and exultant in his praise. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Opening Prayer for Monday of the First week of Advent
Postcard One
“It’s winter again,” she said with a sigh as she looked at all the snow covering the ground. “I like spring when it’s warm and things are growing. Right now everything looks dead.“
“It only looks dead,” her mother said. “Beneath the snow, there is the promise of life and spring.”
But spring seemed like it would never come again after all the hard times the village had suffered in the last months. Suddenly, they heard the sound of feet running down the road. They couldn’t see who it was in the dark and, at first, they were afraid. But as more and more feet passed, their fear changed to wonder, and they grabbed their coats and ran out to see what was happening.
They were just in time to see the last of the runners disappearing in the dark. Without knowing why, they hurried to follow him.
They ran for what seemed like hours but in their eagerness, they did not feel tired.
Finally, they reached the place where a large crowd of people had gathered. The girl and her mother were welcomed and drawn into the center of the circle. Illuminated by a bright star was a fragile-looking, but beautiful tender shoot with a single white flower.
“It’s a sign to us! Even though things seem bleak and frightening, there is hope. Salvation and new life will come to us.”
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.
First reading for the First Sunday of Advent
Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Opening Prayer for the First Sunday in Advent