December 3, 2022–2nd Sunday of Advent Candle Lighting
Last week we spoke of fire leaping down from the Bright Morning star to Mary and of our First Advent Candle holding that fire in its heart as light and warmth, reminding us of our call to be light bearers.
This week, as we light the Second Advent Candle, our image is rain, life-giving rain. “He shall descend like rain on the meadow, like raindrops on the earth.” (Psalm 72:6)
O Verdant Candle, you are nestled among fragrant boughs in this Advent wreath. Branches which have received life-giving rain, that have been washed and refreshed in that rain.
Be for us a sentinel pointing us to Jesus, who like gentle rain, descended upon the earth in the womb of Mary. To Jesus, who today comes to us in the simplicity and complexity of our daily life—life bursting with the presence of God and as gentle as a misty rain.
Show us how to open wide our arms to His coming in each moment and to receive him like rain on the meadow. Show us how to be a simple meadow of acceptance, love and trust, our faces splashed with God’s mercy. Show us, O Candle, how to be instruments of God’s mercy and love to one another and to the world he so loves.