Alliance for Catholic Education
Reflection by Fr. Joe Carey, C.S.C. - ACE Chaplain
Advent readings are beautiful. I have been inspired this Advent by the prophet Isaiah. It is interesting how the Word of God can touch us in different ways based on the circumstances we are facing in our lives. Isaiah proclaims the following in the first reading for the Third Sunday of Advent:
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God.
These are beautiful and challenging words that can help us understand who we are and who we are in relationship with. We were anointed when we were baptized. We become members of the Church. We are called by Baptism to know Jesus and we deepen this relationship by listening to the Word of God and living like Jesus.
It was from this relationship that we are called to continue Christ's ministry. Isaiah says that this ministry is serve the poor, the brokenhearted, prisoners, and all who need God's love.
Our gospel tells how God sent John, the Baptist. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. Our vocation, as the Church, is to continue this testimony and show the light. We do this by our actions on behalf of others and especially those who live without hope.
ACE is involved in teaching and leading in Catholic schools because this is a way to bring Christ's love to students and their families. We believe that every student is a child of God and deserves to know they matter and they are loved.
Advent is a time for all of us to listen to God's call, to recognize how we have been invited to give the gift of love to everyone we meet. May God bless all of us as we continue the ministry of Jesus.
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