We have reached the Fourth Sunday of Advent, culminating the journey we have been making together during the First Sunday, Second Sunday and Third Sunday of Advent, passing through the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
We began by awakening to hope, we learned to welcome and communicate better, we strengthened our hearts by living a prophetic spirituality… and today, when Christmas is very near, the Word reminds us who we are and what we have been called to.
This Advent has been sharpening our ears and our hearts. Now, as we celebrate the birth of the Son of God, we are given a profound certainty: we are called by Jesus Christ, loved by God and sent to live and proclaim the Gospel.
We welcome the Word
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, chosen for the Gospel of God, which was promised by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures and refers to his Son, born of the seed of David according to the flesh, made the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to stir up the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, to the glory of his name. Among them are you also, who are called by Jesus Christ.
To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints, grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Rom 1:1-7)
St. Paul presents himself from the awareness of having been called and chosen. He does not rely on his own merits, but on the grace received. This text reminds us that the Christian vocation-and our vocation as Daughters of Jesus-is born of a loving initiative of God, who calls us by name and sends us on his mission of Love for all, for the glory of his Kingdom.
Determination illuminates our path
“We wish to grow in personal and community responsibility for ongoing formation. To be faithful to this commitment is essential to keep our vocation alive, to respond to the challenges of the present and not to falter in our dedication to the Kingdom of God” (GC XIX Determination n. 15).
If we are called, we are also apprentices for our whole life. Ongoing formation is a concrete way of caring for our vocation, of keeping alive the fire of our first call, of allowing ourselves to continue to be shaped by the Spirit in order to respond with greater depth and wisdom to the challenges of our time.
Resonates in our lives
This Fourth Sunday of Advent invites us to welcome God’s call with an open heart, ready to continue growing, learning and allowing ourselves to be transformed.
How do I continue to train and grow?
May this last stretch of Advent find us grateful for the call we have received, with open hearts and available to continue walking with Him.
