ADVENT

2016

Jesus is the light of the world, the lighthouse for travelers. We are enlightened by Jesus and have a new direction to follow him, reflecting his light to all peoples. Being the light of the world, Jesus removed the darkness of the world.We are enlightened by Jesus and we have a new direction to follow him.We reflect his light to all peoples, giving them a new direction, new life, peace and hope in the violent reality of today’s world.

Dear Sisters, Associates and Friends, As I thought about writing this letter, many meaningful images came to mind as I considered the current times in our world. Among these images are our Congregation’s 175th anniversary celebration of the founding of the women of Holy Cross and the Church’s celebration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Pope Francis, in his welcome to participants at World Youth Day in Poland, said, “Mercy always has a youthful face! Because a merciful heart is motivated to move beyond its comfort zone.” To that I would add, “Mercy walks extra miles.” It is not an option for us to be merciful; rather, it is a condition of being a person of faith, because we continuously receive mercy from our merciful God. We are fortunate when we have opportunities to show mercy, and we do not have to go far for those opportunities to arise. We can act mercifully in our home, to our neighbors, and beyond—to the homeless, hungry, refugees, migrants and many others who are coming to our doors. It is up to us to choose to have that youthful heart of mercy of which Pope Francis spoke. St. Augustine of Hippo wrote, “Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.” As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, let us, too, be courageous to show mercy and change situations, to make our world a common home of peace through transformed hearts and through meaningful actions. Such acts of mercy would be wonderful gifts to Jesus in this 175th anniversary year and Year of Mercy. I am grateful to the sisters who prepared this year’s Advent reflections: Sisters Minoti Rozario, Taposi Gomes, Rita Godhino, Shikha Laetitia Gomes and Shagorica Maria Gomes. May their reflections help motivate us to act from a merciful heart. In Holy Cross, Sister Angela Golapi Palma Leadership Team Member

First Sunday of Advent November 27, 2016 Isaiah 2:1-5 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:37-44

Today’s readings call us to put on the armor of light and be messengers of righteousness. In responding to this call we need to transform our lives from those of violence to love, from war to peace, from wrongdoing to justice. Many years ago Isaiah dreamed, “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.’’ Yet the Missionaries of Charity were killed in Yemen and an Indian priest was abducted and crucified by ISIS on Good Friday. Iraq, Syria and Lebanon have lost so many people through migration. In Paris, 130 people were killed in an attack by ISIS. Bangladesh has witnessed many tragedies: social activists, bloggers and people of good mind and heart cut down; wisdom figures killed by terrorists; and the persistence of child labor, human trafficking and rape of women. Corruption occurs everywhere. God always wants to be in relationship with us. But we make poor choices and we hurt one another. We damage our own relationships with God. In Advent, the Church calls us to wake up, to respond to God’s coming into our lives. The people in Noah’s time forgot; the people in Jesus’ time were busy with other things. How are we responding to God’s coming today? Reflection questions: • Do I take positive initiatives as an individual member of society? • How do I nourish relationships? • Where can I bring light into darkness? Sister Minoti Rozario

Second Sunday of Advent December 4, 2016 Isaiah 11:1-10 Romans 15:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12

Today’s Gospel provides an opportunity to reflect and evaluate our lives as Christian believers: to clean our hearts, to reconnect with those who are lost in our lives and to forgive those who hurt us. St. Matthew points to several aspects of John the Baptist’s life. First, John the Baptist calls us to reflect on and evaluate our daily lives and turn to God. Secondly, we are to imitate his simple lifestyle and activities. Thirdly, we can study his response to the Pharisees and Sadducees for their actions and false preaching. Finally, we see the humility of John the Baptist who said, “Someone is coming soon who is far greater that I am, so much greater that I am not worthy to carry his sandals.” The life of John the Baptist was so simple, natural and deeply connected with God’s creation. His life was eloquent, his words were moving. People found meaning in life through him; they recognized their faults and misdeeds, confessed to him and received baptism. John challenges us to conversion—to begin a new journey, from secure to insecure, but with full confidence in God’s promises and providence. It is an invitation to see, to change our lives, to evaluate our lives. John invites us to live a life of sharing, justice, respect and dignity. Reflection questions: • Are we ready to follow as John the Baptist invites us? • How do we introduce Jesus to others? • Are we humble enough to present Jesus, or do we introduce ourselves through our works, words? Sister Taposi Gomes

Third Sunday of Advent December 11, 2016 Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11

In the first reading Isaiah calls all of creation to rejoice. He tells us, “fear not,” for our Lord comes to save us. The Savior is very near our doors. He holds love for each of us, every single one. God will open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap and those who cannot speak will sing. Water will spring up in the desert. This week St. James tells us to be patient and to pray. Salvation will be fulfilled in the coming reign of God. As we observe our world today, we find signs of God’s work among us. We help to prepare the way for God’s Kingdom by our own words and deeds. Rejoice while waiting for Jesus’ coming. Let us make ready our hearts. God calls us out of our deserts and wants to enliven us, to be present to us, to give us energy in our daily living. Let us recognize these moments as lights of hope, lights of holiness. This Advent, let us consider how we will allow the Light of hope to break forth in our lives. Let us always be hope-filled people, people with grateful hearts. May we be alert to events for rejoicing and be earnest in building an environment where God feels welcome and at home. Reflection question: • What will I do today to make my home welcoming to Jesus? Sister Rita Godhino

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016 Isaiah 7:10-14 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-24

Jesus—what a wonderful gift for us from God! God loved us so much he sent his only Son as our Savior. Very soon we will be celebrating Christmas; the promised Messiah and the sign of God’s great love will be revealed. Mary’s “yes” was a total surrender to God. She took a risk and courageously faced many challenges because of her trust in God. Joseph, being a just man, did as the angel of the Lord directed. He accepted Mary as his wife and the child in her womb as his own. Joseph and Mary cooperated with God’s plan; they modeled for us what it means to be faithful servants of God. We Sisters of the Holy Cross also are called to participate in God’s mission, to share the love of Jesus with peoples of many nations and cultures. We are engaged in a study of our Constitution and Statutes and other documents to more deeply understand our identity, the signs of the time, the needs of the world and God’s will for us today. May the example of Mary and Joseph inspire us as we face challenges and take risks believing and trusting in Immanuel, God-with-us. Reflection questions: • How do I discover the call of the Word of God in my life? • What risks am I willing to take to respond to the mission of God? • How do I embrace a new direction, new promise and new revelation in my life? Sister Shikha Laetitia Gomes

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) December 25, 2016 Isaiah 52:7-10 Hebrews 1:1-6 John 1:1-18

There is something mysterious and reality affirming in that Christmas has stayed alive for 2,000 years. God took on eyes and ears, hands and feet like human beings. Jesus felt hunger and tears, joy and pain, love and gratitude, like human beings. He also knew that human beings need redemption. The prophet Isaiah said, “Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem.” When we examine ourselves, let us remember that whatever we are to each other will radiate more brightly when we are actively present to one another. The shepherds had come in haste, realizing that the Prince of Peace was lying in a manger—so simple, yet the Lord Almighty; so adorable whom they had seen with their own eyes, yet the Messiah. When they returned, they shared the message and glorified him. Christmas is a reminder of the kindness and love of God for all humanity. Mary, the mother of God, pondered all in her heart. She reminds us of the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives, leading us to renewal and new birth in Christ, as we share the message of Jesus with the world. Reflection question: • How do we proclaim the message of Jesus today? Sister Shagorica Maria Gomes

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