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ADVENT 2023
WEEK FOUR
BE H ELPF UL
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SCAN FOR PLAYLIST
OUR CARING PRESENCE
Catholic health care believes our caring presence with one another
WEEK FOUR | BE HELPFUL
and those we serve is more than can be seen on the surface. It
In this fourth week, we focus on the annunciation of Mary, when the Angel Gabriel talks to her about giving birth to Christ.
extends beyond the words we say and the tasks we do. The presence of our human caring reveals a deeper Divine caring. Our presence is, as the Gospel says, “A light [that] shines in the darkness.” In this
Then, we welcome a poem about
Christmas season we ponder the
Joseph’s words that carry the spirit
shining of this light.
of Mary’s “Yes” to God’s plan. These reflections drive us to service and we are confirmed as people who help. No matter what our position in Catholic health care, we know this call. Finally, as always, we pray to make it happen.
“If God is the center of your life, no words are necessary. Your mere presence will touch hearts.” St. Vincent de Paul
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REFLECTION
Mary says “Yes” In the Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the angel Gabriel goes to a small, almost off-the-map town in Galilee (Lk. 1:26-38.) He finds who he is looking for — a virgin named Mary.
In a truly important way, we share the identity and mission of Mary. We are loved by God and called to bring about the Kingdom of God. A significant part of this world is we help one another. We are all children of God, and this shared identity drives us to creatively find ways of caring.
He addresses her, “Greetings, Favored One. The Lord is with you.” Mary is “much perplexed by these words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.”
Although this identity and mission may seem extravagant, when we take time to reflect on how many people have helped us and how many people we have helped, there is a rightness that arises in our minds and hearts. We were meant for this.
We know the rest of the story. Under the inspiration of the Spirit, Gabriel convinces Mary she is part of God’s plan and will. Like Mary, we all have to be convinced of this “favored” identity. There are many ways we think about ourselves that are not how God thinks about us. Our minds hold on to these lesser selfunderstandings.
It may mean sacrifice. It may mean going out of our way. It may mean, paradoxically, feeling helpless while struggling to help. But when all is said and done, like Mary, the “Yes” is within us. It is who we really are.
When you think about yourself this way, what does it move you to do?
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Only have a minute? Start here. Choose one piece of content from all that has been gathered here:
AN ENGAGEMENT
A REMINDER
A REFLECTION
Coloring Page, pg. 6-7
An Executive Remembers, pg. 9
Panta Rhei — Motion in the Milky Way, pg. 10
Consider these reflection questions:
Do you believe that you were made to be cared for and to care for others? Why or why not?
How can you use your strengths to love and care for those around you today?
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DI RECTOR OF M ISSION I NTEGRATION
FULL REFLECTION
Q&A WITH JEAN ETTE WASH I NGTON, M H R, SPH R
CH I H EALTH CREIGHTON UN IVERSITY M EDICAL CENTER BERGAN M ERCY “He can ask a question and all of the sudden you feel like, ‘I need to think better. I need to elevate my strategy. I need to do better, because this person is here; they value me as a leader.’ The platform they’re on is so large and yet they’re saying, ‘Come on, come up here with me.’
How does the presence of a great leader impact you?
When I think of leaders like that, they are people that walk into a room and shift the atmosphere.”
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Engaging hands, head,
and heart
How often has it been true for you that your best ideas, your most profound moments of integration, occur when you are in the midst of another, wholly different task? Here, we invite you to keep your hands busy with coloring the cover image while you open your head and your heart to what presence means in your own life. How do you experience it? How does your experience of presence inform your work?
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Joseph Has a Question
I am an inheritor of dreams. My ancient namesake saved his people from famine by interpreting in the day the communications of the night. I do the same.
My heart stays awake while my body sleeps. I listen while the sounds of the earth are silent. The angels of dreams only whisper commands. “Take Mary for your wife.” “Take the mother and child and flee.” “Take the mother and child and return.” My obedience has taught me to see through scandal. What grows in Mary is the work of the Spirit – fragile, vulnerable – pursued by the sword. Life needs protection until life is ready to serve. And I protect. That is what you need to know about me and what you need to know about yourself. How do you make your strength serve love? John Shea, Seeing Haloes (Liturgical Press, 2017).
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“I have three artifacts in my office. They are quite small. People who come in seldom notice them.
An Executive Remembers
But my eyes fall on them often during the day and they remind me of what I do not want to forget. The objects are a bull, a clock and an owl. When I see them, I know I have the strength (bull), the wisdom (owl) and the time (clock) to do good in what I am doing. I recommit myself.”
Would it serve you to have an object or touchstone that reminds you of your call to be helpful? What would it be? 9
VISIO DIVINA
PANTA RHEI — MOTION IN THE MILKY WAY (ESA/HUBBLE & NASA)
Gaze
Reflect
Respond
Rest
Consider the image before you. Look slowly and thoroughly, taking a first glance, noting the colors, movement, textures, people, places and things. Make space for the inner eye of the heart to open and interact with the image.
Take a second, deeper look. Rest in the presence of the image; allow the image to reach beyond the intellect and into an unconscious level. What truth does it hold for you? Engage your imagination. Where are you in the artwork? What do you see from that perspective?
Respond to the image with prayer. Does the image remind you of an experience, person or issue for which you’d like to offer thanksgiving or intercession? Does it open a new awareness or spark a conviction? Offer that prayer to God.
Find your quiet center. Breathe deeply. Release tension from your body. Rest in quiet companionship with the image and with God. Dwell in the God who comes to us disguised as all things.
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Lord, we know we have eyes that see not and ears that hear not. Today, something we may see or hear will capture our presence and cause us to pause. Keep our eyes and ears open so we may follow the Spirit that calls us into the grace of Christmas where the Light shines in the darkness. Amen. (Let it be!)
About the Author John Shea is a consultant to faith-based organizations, dioceses and parishes, providing theological, mission and formation services. He has published more than 25 books of theology and spirituality, three works of fiction and three books of poetry.
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