On this Friday of the first week of Advent, that great Advent prophet Isaiah foretells a very radical change: the deaf shall hear, the blind shall see, and the lowly will find joy. If we would want to make a radical change in our lives and in our world today, I am sure there are some particular changes we would want to see. Our world is an imperfect place where there is a great deal of pain and suffering. Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God to us where the values of Gospel call us to a new way of life. Let us give thanks for the wonderful season of Advent.
I want to share a prayer written by Pope Clement XI that I found in a resource guide for Advent. Clement XI was pope from 1700 to 1721. He was a great patron of the sciences and the arts, and a great supporter of the Vatican Library. I really like the spirit of this prayer as we start the Advent season:
Lord, I believe in you: increase my faith.
I trust in you: strengthen my trust.
I love you: let me love you more and more.
I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.
I worship you as my first beginning.
I long for you as my last end.
I praise you as my constant helper.
I call upon you as my loving protector.
I want to do what you ask of me:
In the way you ask, for as long as you ask, because you ask.
Let me love you Lord as my God.
And see myself as I really am: a pilgrim in this world.
A Christian called to respect and love all those lives I touch.
AMEN.
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