Advent Reflection with Pax Christi International

Icon of Our Lady on Separation Wall surrounding Bethlehem - Image: ICN/JS

Pax Christi International Co-Presidents, Sr Wamuyu Wachira and Bishop (Em) Marc Stenger, invite us to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts during this season of hope. Read their reflection and join us in this prayerful journey.

COME EMMANUEL, COMPASSIONATE AND LOVING GOD, COME HEAL OUR WORLD

As we begin the season of Advent, the happenings of our global world are a stake reminder of the importance of waiting... waiting for Emmanuel to come and dwell among us anew... to bring us new hope.

Waiting for Emmanuel to heal our brokenness...

Our hearts are bleeding, they are torn apart as their veins stretch from unceasing crying for our broken world... O Emmanuel! Come and dwell among us...! Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Our backs are aching from carrying burdens of deceit, injustice, violence in all its forms... O Emmanuel! Come and dwell among us...! Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Our eyes are blinded by watching our world fall to pieces through atomic bombs… O Emmanuel! Come and dwell among us...! Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Our ears are deafened by listening to gunshots and cries of anguish from dying children, young people, men and women...! O Emmanuel! Come and dwell among us... Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Our mouths are aching from being gagged by shouts of silence amid evil deeds, cries of brutal killings, abductions and dictatorship... O Emmanuel! Come and dwell among us...! Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Our hands are tied with cords of injustice, corruption, impunity and indifference… O Emmanuel! Come and dwell among us...! Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

Our feet are grounded by the violence of wars that never end, wars of words, of exclusion, of silence amid injustice and demonization of 'the other'...

O Emmanuel! Come and dwell among us...! Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

We come before you with our trembling knees and teary eyes... our heads bend low...

Our voiceless and muted tones... O Emmanuel as we await your coming... O Emmanuel! Come and dwell among us...! Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

You our Emmanuel are our loving and compassionate God, Our Creator, Our Peace, Our Hope

Hold us your people close to your heart and carry us as you have done since you created us...

Lighten the burdens of your people across the globe who are dying from unceasing wars, people who are waiting agape, as they grope in the darkness of oppression, no place to call home... You Emmanuel are their Security… their Comfort, their Joy, their Peace, their Hope... Come, O Emmanuel… Come and dwell among us...! Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus! Come!

Come Our Creator God... Come and dwell among us anew... until we become like you our Nonviolent God; Emmanuel - God with us - Maranatha, Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

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