break upon us.” The night, far spent, is waning. The darkness is turning into a dark bluish purple. The sun is not far off. Can you see it, barely rising up from the horizon? Can you hear the voice of St. John the Baptist heralding the dawn? “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!” Can you see the image of our blessed Mother Mary, rejoicing in God her Savior? That promised dawn from on high is coming … “to shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet in the way of peace” (the Benedictus). Who is this peacemaker? Who is this Savior? Is this God of ours big enough to weather the storms with us, even when we think He is asleep? This may be an opportunity to reconsider who this is that calls us to follow Him. Maybe we were following our own idea of Him and not the real Savior. Advent is a time to encounter the presence of the true God again, to wait upon Him whose presence among us today is the reason hope grows in our hearts. May this Advent season and retreat be a healing and restful time for you, as we embrace the Lord present each of these days. Know of the prayers of our monastic community for you! Blessings and Prayers,
Fr. Jay Kythe, OSB Retreat Master 9
