On Thursday a small group gathered at St Thomas More for a beautiful advent reflection ... we began with an advent litany with its refrain of Alleluia ... and Maranatha (Come Lord Jesus).
We then listened to readings from Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11, read an extract of Psalm 23, The Lord is my shepherd, listened to Amina's story and reflected on Mark 1: 1-8.
To aid our reflection we used all our senses, listening to the Word of God, touching the stones from the shores of Lake Galilee, looking at images of refugees, at the light of candles of hope and peace on our advent wreath, and Peruvian statues of Mary and Joseph, tasting some honey, and smelling and touching the straw. All symbols to help us in our time of preparation for the coming of the Lord.
We were reminded of the words of Pope Francis who said after he visited Lampedusa where many refugees lost their lives "The Lord needs our hearts to show his merciful love towards the least, the outcast, the abandoned, the marginalised". We remembered not only Mary and Joseph who had a difficult to journey to Bethlehem but all people who today are travelling in search of shelter and safety.
We then listened to readings from Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11, read an extract of Psalm 23, The Lord is my shepherd, listened to Amina's story and reflected on Mark 1: 1-8.
Short advent reflection for those unable to join us
We were reminded of the words of Pope Francis who said after he visited Lampedusa where many refugees lost their lives "The Lord needs our hearts to show his merciful love towards the least, the outcast, the abandoned, the marginalised". We remembered not only Mary and Joseph who had a difficult to journey to Bethlehem but all people who today are travelling in search of shelter and safety.