In the joy of your promise Advent 2015

Stand up, raise your head! 1st Sunday of Advent At the heart of the tumults of our history, God remains faithful to his promise of happiness. In Jesus his Son, he gives rise to his Good News: already law and justice germinate! Our redemption is drawing near: let us raise our heads and remain alert in redemption is drawing near: let us raise our heads in an irreproachable holiness.

of happiness to his people: giving birth in the house of David First reading Jeremiah 33, 14-16 God makes a promise of happiness to his people: giving birth in the house of David « A Sprout of justice. » The word of the Lord that the prophet relays to his people is bold. In the name of God, Jeremiah dares to offer hope. It is based not on what is seen, but on the invisible, on what God realizes in secret.

Second reading 1 Thessalonians 3,12–4.2 Paul asks the Lord to make grow the love in the Thessalonian community and to help it to make progress. This passage opens in prayer, Paul, addressing the Lord Jesus, asks for us « a love more and more intense and overflowing.»

Gospel Reading Luke 21, 25-28, 34-36 The disciples can raise their heads: God assures them of his presence. Far from wanting to plunge us into gloom, Jesus' words aim rather to again give us hope and courage: « When these things begin, look up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near. (...) Stay awake and pray always. »(Lk 21, 28.36)

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! Prayer Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! « The night advances, the Day is at hand ». Look Lord at the night of anguish which threatens to engulf us. Are you not the dawn of the eternal day? Come shine on our darkness.

« The time has come to emerge from our sleep. » Look, Lord, our hearts asleep with sorrow. Are you not the eternal joy? Come and awaken us in joy.

God our Father, keep our hearts awake for the Day when your Son, our Savior and brother will come towards us. Amen

« Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy « Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy. These words might well sum up the mystery of the Christian faith. Mercy has become living and visible in Jesus of Nazareth, reaching its culmination in him. Jesus of Nazareth, by his words, his actions, and his entire person reveals the mercy of God ». Pope Francis

Sisters Disciples of the Divine Master Text : Music : O come, Emmanuel (Piano – Cello) Pictures : from the Web Sisters Disciples of the Divine Master Canada - 2015 http://pages.videotron.com/ddm/