Reflection for the First Sunday of Advent

By Dot Connealy, Notre Dame Associate

​Your redemption is at hand….
Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28; 34-36
“Stand erect and raise your head, because your redemption is at hand…”
Sometimes the words present such a clear picture to me that I am quite amazed. Listen to these words in your heart.
Stand erect: Don’t slouch, slink or slump.
Raise your heads: Stand proudly, stand with conviction and courage.
Your redemption is at hand: Your admittance is paid, your sins are forgiven,
you are a rescued people.

I like to think that I try my best to follow God’s word. I like to think that I will be courageous when I need to be. I like to think that I will always keep my eye “on the prize”. But, of course, I am human, with clay feet, I know that I am not always successful in these bids but then I read the words again:
Your redemption is at hand….stand erect, raise your head….all is well…..all is good….all is paid for….all will be OK. And I think:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.