IN THIS TIME OF ADVENT, HERE IS AN INITIATIVE THAT LINKS WITH OUR CORPORATE COMMITMENT: Moved by our passion for God’s Reign, to discern the calls of the Spirit in the signs of the times we discern :
LIVING CHRISTMAS DIFFERENTLY
IN THIS TIME OF ADVENT, HERE IS AN INITIATIVE THAT LINKS WITH OUR CORPORATE COMMITMENT:
Moved by our passion for God’s Reign, to discern the calls of the Spirit in the signs of the times we discern :
Especially in the voice of the poor by committing ourselves with courage and daring to seek with them conditions of life that ensure dignity for all.
By being alert to all that destroys and threatens the life of our planet, working as a body, in close collaboration with the members of our family and with others, to ensure sustainability.
Take action to transform situations and structures that impede communion.
The Collectif Chrétien (a Christian group), “Living differently", is launching its 11th season of awareness and action in favor of environmental preservation and creation. It proposes that we reflect on the conditions for preserving and sharing among all common goods such as water, air, earth, peace, health, justice and education.
During this Christmas season, the group is suggesting that each person become aware of the wealth of these goods: the power to breathe quality air, to drink water without any restriction, to have access to free education ... and invite everyone to become informed about what is happening to them and be committed to seeing that they are accessible to all and shared among all.
Preserving these assets is the responsibility of each individual but also of politicians and citizens who are required to take joint action to regulate their use. Through this campaign, the 25 community partners want us all to “live Christmas differently, giving
Through this campaign, the 25 group partners want us all to "live Christmas differently by offering one another a society based on sharing and respecting the inalienable dignity of every person. We suggest that we ask ourselves a few questions during each week of Advent and see what action we can undertake.
1st Week of Advent
Water
Some questions
· Water is God's gift to all, Am I careful how I use water every day?
· Water is the heart of human activities: Am I informed about the issues of water use in my area (water, agricultural use, industrial use ...)?
· Water is the source of life: Am I aware of the impact of my daily activities on the quality of rivers, seas and oceans, groundwater?
Proposals for actions
· I inform myself about the management of water in my town or local community.
· For Christmas, I offer my home or apartment for water saving devices (to be placed on the shower, toilets, rainwater collection for watering the garden ...)
· I become involved in an action at the service of the common good, by joining or supporting an association or environmental groups working specifically for the water quality in my area, by challenging local officials, particularly if there are pollution problems in my area.
In my prayers
I refresh myself through contact with water. This water signifies a new birth for each of us.
And if we pay attention to the mystery that lives in us, each one has to give birth to the child of God that we are.
In church, Lord, we pray for all those births to be lived so that your Christ may become flesh in each of our lives.
We must WATCH, wherever we are, in the mundane things of everyday life. This is where God wants to look for us, change us a little. "Without our being aware of it." The waiting is coupled with the PRESENT. The event takes place in the course of everyday life Father Christian de Chergé (Tibhirine)
This is an opportunity to reread the texts of Scripture
EZ 16.4-9, 23.40, 34.26, 47.1 to 12
Ps 104
Is 41.17 to 20, 5.10-14 2R
John 4
Jn 19.28-34
Mt 3, 11-17
Jn 3, 5-6
1 John 5, 6-8
And give thanks for the beauty of creation (Fish, water courses...) for every birth or rebirth.