‘Intentional Living’
1st Sunday Advent A
Norwood
30 November 2025
My friends,
“Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the Temple if the God of Jacob
That he may teach us his ways
So that we may walk in his path.” 1st Reading
Advent, which we begin today, has an air of optimism about it; a sense of possibility – even a capacity to stretch us beyond what we are capable of. Also, Advent has a simplicity of message about it – when we chose to come to the Temple of God – it is for a clear purpose – that he may teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths.
The crux of our time is that it is difficult to hear the message, to recognise the message, to understand the message. We are a very well-educated, well-informed generation, very skilled in so many spheres of life. Yet, the evidence points to our being short on the skills of living in a wholesome and balanced way. There’s a frightening level of domestic violence. So many women and girls living in fear. We’re consuming vast qualities of packaged and processed entertainment, which is luring us and our families into a spiritual slumber. One has to have sympathy for families and individuals, who as a result, live life on a very shallow and superficial level. We are reminded of it very strongly when we witness the blitz of promotion ‘round Christmas which began ‘round the end of October.
But that’s the reality; the way it is; we can’t do anything about it. On one level no we can’t – we’re powerless. On another level we can make a difference through our awareness of what’s happening. Our awareness and responses can, with the grace of God, make a difference for ourselves as adults but especially for the young people – as they learn the understanding and skills to stay in control in the midst of the turbulence and noise ‘round them.
My friends, outside of the Jubilee of Hope, I’ve never heard so much talk of the need for hope in people’s lives. On one level, our senses and desires are saturated to the point of being overwhelmed; on the other level there is a void, an emptiness; a hunger/thirst for something more authentic/real and human. That’s where our Advent journey can come into play – enabling us to draw from the ancient wells of wisdom for living.
Todays Readings, speak to us of the urgency to be alert – to wake up to what’s ‘round us and stay awake! This awareness enables intentional living – living with intention, purpose and meaning. This is not an easy way to live – it is ‘the road less travelled’, as the poet put it but it’s worth it because its reward of wellbeing and grace.
These weeks of Advent then are a graced opportunity. Intentional living is what the Lord is continually calling us to and there are no age limits! Review again your life pattern and attitudes. There is likely to be much anger, anxiety, jealousy and resentment and so much else, to be processed through the Sive of Gods mercy and forgiveness.
May these Advent days be for all who embrace them, bring grace and renewal.
