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As we enter into this fourth week of Advent, we light the last purple candle on our Advent wreaths, representing peace. This is considered “The Candle of Love” or “The Angel Candle” as the angels announced the good news that God sent us a Savior out of love for us.
The full reflections for each week are found in our Advent “Accompanying the Holy Family” eBook. Please download it for FREE here.
Though the rush of society’s early celebrating may leave us feeling exhausted from the busyness of this Advent season, Our Lord calls us to peace. He is with us and will never abandon us. This is the foundation of our peace.
Listen to the Week 4 song selection “Still” by Hillary Scott on our Accompanying the Holy Family Advent + Christmas Playlist here:
This week’s reflection is based on the following Scripture:
“Sing, O barren one, who did not bear;
Isaiah 54:1-10
break forth into singing and cry aloud,
you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord.
“Enlarge the place of your tent,
and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
do not hold back; lengthen your cords
and strengthen your stakes.
For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left,
and your offspring will possess the nations
and will people the desolate cities.
“Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;
be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.
For your Maker is your husband,
the Lord of hosts is his name;
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
the God of the whole earth he is called.
For the Lord has called you
like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit,
like a wife of youth when she is cast off,
says your God.
For a brief moment I deserted you,
but with great compassion I will gather you.
In overflowing anger for a moment
I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”
says the Lord, your Redeemer.
“This is like the days of Noah to me:
as I swore that the waters of Noah
should no more go over the earth,
so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you,
and will not rebuke you.
For the mountains may depart
and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Our Lord asks us to dive deep, to really encounter Him during this season, to prepare our hearts for Him.
We can encounter peace regardless of whether our immediate circumstances feel peaceful; the peace God gives is deeper than human emotion.
Trust is an encounter with peace.
Further resources:
A small treatise by Fr. Jacques Philippe entitled, “Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart”
An overview of Fr. Jacques Philippe’s teaching on peace.
Making a good confession with Fr. Michael Schmitz
Here is a good explanation of how adults can prepare for confession.
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