Maryknoll Advent Reflection (Week 4): The Light Shines in Darkness

The culture of well-being, that makes us think of ourselves, that makes us insensitive to the cries of others, that makes us live in soap bubbles, that are beautiful but are nothing, are illusions of futility, of the transient, that brings indifference to others, that brings even the globalization of indifference. -Pope Francis (after a visit to visit the tiny island of Lampedusa off the coast of Sicily to pray for refugees and migrants lost at sea).  

Response: The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.

The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns reflection for the fourth Sunday of Advent reflection on the mystery of the Incarnation – how it is that the Messiah came to be with us (Luke 1:26-38) Mary, already full of God’s grace, cooperate d with God’s plan to bring salvation to all humanity through Jesus, who was fully human and also fully divine. In the model of Mary, we pray that we will be people of faith who recognize God’s saving plan for us all and are able respond with obedience.

On the first pastoral visit of his papacy, Pope Francis chose to visit the tiny island of Lampedusa off the coast of Sicily to pray for refugees and migrants lost at sea. Just days earlier, more than 300 Eritrean and Somali asylum seekers drowned within sight of the island. When their boat caught fire and sank, they had already traveled nearly 3,000 miles from their home countries in Africa.

Pope Francis used his visit to Lampedusa to expose the dark side of globalization that flows from the effects new communication technologies and the growing consumer culture have on our humanity

Questions for Reflection
In what ways are you living in a bubble?
How can you regain your bearings and become more attentive to the world in which you live?

See full Advent Guide