October 23 – “Would you consider writing an Advent reflection? You can pick whatever week you want?” Sure! It’s still 6 weeks away, thanks for the invitation! I better choose week one though, “Get’er done and in.” Days pass, weeks even! Remembrance Day holiday seemed a good day to write. It was a beautiful day so guess which activity called more loudly and clearly?
So here I am, almost a month since the invitation and days before the feast of Christ the King. I have been pondering the readings, which do not feel as “catchy” as I had hoped. The semester at UPEI is winding down which means the anxiety of the students is ramping up! I am struck by the number of times in a given day I hear myself trying to offer some consolation to these stressed young adults with the words “Be in this moment. What lies ahead is ahead for a reason.” Our call is to be present here and now. As Saint Paul reminds us, God’s grace is sufficient; and then I add, for today.
Ever notice how a new and different translation of a scripture passage can catch your attention and cause you to think? Ever find your mind wandering during a scripture reading because the words are so familiar your head doesn’t need to pay attention? Because I love words so much, I am always looking for new words to give me a fresh look at familiar passages and keep my head engaged. One of the best resources I have found is The Message, The Bible on Contemporary Language – Catholic/Ecumenical Edition, by Eugene H. Peterson. It isn’t new (first edition was published in 2002) but there is a 2013 edition, and several in-between.
I had the privilege of attending the opening event of Waves of Change: Sustainable Food for All, Food Secure Canada’s eighth National Assembly. The keynote address was given by world-renowned writer, environmentalist, and seed campaigner Vandana Shiva as part of the Sow Much Love campaign.
Vandana Shiva is an inspirational author and award-winning Indian environmentalist, and founder of Navdanya, a national movement to protect the diversity and integrity of living resources, especially native seed, organic farming and fair trade.
