| Leader |
As we celebrate the season of Advent, jubilee liberates us to recreate community and proclaim liberty throughout the land. |
| All |
God of our longing, we invite you into our midst. Send forth your spirit, which makes all things new. Give us new hearts as we work for justice throughout the land and build the world anew as your son, Jesus, did. We pray in faith. Amen. |
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Reading
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Is 11:1, 6, 9
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots...the wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.... They will not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of God. |
| Response |
(alternate sides)
O God, on every page of the sacred Scriptures we find your divine heart overflowing with unexpected graces and blessings for the world.
You are God, unlimited by human logic, unchained by human ways. You created us in your image. You fashioned a chosen people from a band of escaped, wandering slaves.
You brought to birth a savior from a nation impoverished and small. In every age, your gift of inspiration leads artists, scientists, and builders to dream new dreams and imagine fresh visions.
This day, breathe your inspiration into us. Invade our inert hearts with your gentle movements. In the spirit of Christ among us, help us to give up our clinging to the past and become a witness to your voice that proclaims: "Behold, I make all things new." Amen.
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| Reflection |
• Identify times in your organization when new life shot up from what seemed a lifeless stump.
• Where do you find new life growing in you and your organization now?
• What can you do to recreate community in your organization?
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| Closing Prayer |
AllGod of love, you were so generous sending the presence of your son to dwell among us and tell us who you are. Help us during this Advent season to recreate community through our attentiveness and sensitivity to others and their needs. May we refresh our vision so that we can recognize your dwelling within us and among us as we proclaim your liberty throughout the land. In faith we pray. Amen.
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| Suggestions |
Use Advent wreath or light as many candles as the number of weeks in Advent. Place photos of children and other people around the candles.
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| Suggested Music |
"All One People," by Dan Schutte, Drawn by a Dream, OCP Publications, Portland, OR, 1993.
"Carol of the Word," by Rory Cooney and Gary Daigle, GIA Publications, Chicago, 1990.
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| Sources |
Jubilee Justice: The Times Call Us by Tom Cordaro and Madelyn Gould, Pax Christi USA, Erie, PA, 1999.
Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly: Prayers for Peace and Justice by Edward F. Gabriele, St. Mary's Press, Winona, MN, 1995.
Out of the Ordinary by Joyce Rupp, Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, IN, 2000.
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