Advent Reflection God is Present with Our Neighbor

5:29 PM in advent, Aqua, god, is, neighbor, our, present, reflection, with

In todays text, (Luke 4: 14-30)  I hear Jesus telling the people whom he is physically with (God with us) that God is also present with our neighbor. I sense an invitation to consider that Gods abundance necessarily means that there is room for someone else, other than us, to also be blessed by God. Our willingness to accept the breadth of Gods abundance means that we can dispel our notions of scarcity that keep our fists clenched.   -Rev. Ruth T. West, San Francisco Theological Seminary   (from Advent Reflection, Blessings Just for Us?)

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Pax Christi Advent Reflection for International Human Rights Day

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Isaiah 41:13-20 | Matthew 11:11-15 “The afflicted and the needy seek water in vain,their tongues are parched with thirst.” (Is 41:17)

Today when we celebrate International Human Rights Day, there are people afflicted and needy who are looking for water. The scarcity of water is one of the main problems in our world and it has gotten progressively worse in recent years. An important reason for this problem with water is greed. Some of us live as if we own natural resources, but the reality is that God created everything for all people.

Our concern must lead us to use natural resources in a sustainable way. Our concern must lead us to share, protect and save the sources of water. We need water to live; most of the body is made of water. Having access to drinkable water is a human right. Taking care of God’s creation is a human duty!  -Nelson Araque, Catholic Climate Ambassador  (via Pax Christi)

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