Advent, Week 2: The Season of Ingathering

In anticipating the coming of Jesus during this Advent season, I cannot but wait for when mankind, or creation itself, will be restored to its state of original peace and justice.

But while I am waiting, I must recognize that the Holy Spirit is always waiting to assist me in my journey here on earth. The assistance(s) it gives comes in the form of the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, fear of the Lord, and piety.

Be still and reflect on the Season of Remembrance and Season of Ingathering. What are Jesus and the Holy Spirit saying to you?

Remembrance - Remember whose you are and why you were chosen to live. Remember the manner in which you are to live. Remember the purpose of the death. Have hope that one day you, too, will be remembered.

Ingathering - Recall the seeds you have planted in yourself and maybe others. Is your harvest bountiful? Is it rich in spiritual nourishment for yourself and maybe others? Or it scrawny and undeveloped? Reveal Relieve Release Renew Rejoice

Professor Howard hit us with some heavy stuff last week. Remembering, Ingathering, & Living in Harmony. So here you go, I'll take my best shot. Remembering, "the harvest of the heart", makes my heart stir just typing the words. I choose to remember JOY!. Last year was a definite season of change for me and I was choosing to remember and be sad, but after reading Isaiah and pondering the questions; I choose to remember the seeds of joy that I planted, and scattered wherever I went. I have a spirt of hospitality and I always want others to feel welcome and I made sure that others felt that. Whether it was with a smile, a handshake , a hug, or just a simple glance and the calling of their name to let them know that they too were a part of whatever was going on. I've recently transitioned to another department with our organization and I brought my joy with me. I know there is a different atmosphere on that floor, because I know what it felt like when I visited there. I offer a blessing for our department, everyday I exit the elevator or come thru the stair well door. I know that it has not gone unnoticed, because I've heard the comments. That is the ingathering for me. I am reaping the harvest of sowing seeds of joy. The harvest of my heart!

I long for the days of the harmony that is documented in Isaiah. It tells us that for these things to happen, WE have to change our nature. We no longer can keep pointing the finger and blaming some one or something else for the horrors of this world. When do we stand up and say, "I'm sorry for being a part of what is wrong with the world"? We all have those vicious animal instincts, but we also all have the gentle lamb-like qualities as well. Which one do we choose to exhibit? I think true harmony happens when we acknowledge and confess our own shortcomings and accept the shortcomings of others. So when I choose to be like the lion, I want the lamb to be able to see that I'm not there to hurt them, but that my roar is truly worse than what the lamb thinks might happen.

Blessings to everyone!

Darlene

Review from Advent Week 2!

On our zoom called on Monday we looked at three important elements. Frist, we reflected on this comment, "Great and significant as is the harvest in nature, the most pertinent kind of ingathering for the human spirit is “the harvest of the heart.” Next, we looked at what kinds of seeds did we plant this past year, are the fruits ripening? Finally, we focused on Isaiah 11:1-10, to uncover the importance of harmony with one other. Rita asked the question of the hour, how do you capture harmony with one another, where do we draw the line? How long do we sit next to the wolf to create harmony? Look over your PowerPoint slides, please share your thoughts.