It is wonderful this Advent to hear the voice of Pope Francis witnessing to God's brimming-over love for the poor--and calling us to transform the structures of society so that all of us together can shine with the full glory of the divine light within us.
At the same time I join so many others in mourning because we have lost the earthly presence of Nelson Mandela. To find comfort, I am meditating on the healing possibilities released by so many of his words, including these:
"Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.” An Advent blessing, if I ever heard one! May we take it to heart, together, by the grace of God even now at work within us. Amen.