In Romans St. Paul asks that we “rejoice with those whose rejoice, weep with those who weep.” The former is easy and we do a lot of that at Christmas. The latter is hard and easy to avoid.
Advent is a season of great joy, celebration and family gathering. However, we know the incarnation of Christ was also a time of great suffering — for a young woman claiming to be a virgin though pregnant, for her husband who could only find a cattle stall for her in labor, for the holy infants of Bethlehem who were slaughtered by Herod, for the holy family fleeing to Eqypt. Amidst all the glitter and gifts and carols, we know that suffering does not end because it’s Christmas, and for many people the season magnifies the pain and loneliness.
During the four Sundays in Advent there will be an opportunity for you to think, ponder, and pray about suffering, both in our lives and those around us. The mysterious way it can draw us to holiness or make us bitter. We will discuss both the suffering we understand and the suffering whose meaning seems completely hidden from us. Our focus will also include the wonderful promises the Lord made to us about such times.
No sign up required! Just come ready to learn and reflect!
