Dec 23, 2022 | DAILY BREAD
23 December
O Emmanuel!
Gospel – Luke 1:57-66
“His name is John”. All others wanted to call him Zechariah after his father. But Elizabeth and Zechariah knew that it is not the name that should be given to the child. Because they received the grace of God, experienced the grace of God and lived the grace of God. So, for them, it is not the relatives that decide but it’s the grace that dictates their decision. It is not anymore, the traditions that lead them but it’s the faith. Elisabeth is speaking up. She has the courage to go against the current because she lived the grace. Zechariah is asking for a writing-tablet. He does not want to go wrong, because he internalized the grace. “His name is John”. Advent is the time to live the grace and make changes against all the pressures on us.
Dec 22, 2022 | DAILY BREAD
22 December
O Rex géntium
Gospel – Luke 1:46-56
While the cry of Elizabeth at the encounter with Mother Mary was a cry of liberation, the Magnificat of Mother Mary is the song of a person who is not only liberated but also sees the God’s intervention in our daily life. Mary understands and proclaims how God is intervening in the history of humanity. She is living that experience in her in a profound and unique way. She not only sees the intervention of God in her life but also sees the intervention of God in the life of each person. What Mary says is that life becomes beautiful with God. Everything gets a new perspective. Advent is the time to see the intervention of God in our life along with those in the life of each person.
Dec 21, 2022 | NEWS
At the invitation of our sister Janina Michnik, who teaches religious education in the nearby primary school in Racibórz Brzezie, on December 19, i.e. on Monday, we took part in a nativity play, a performance about the birth of Jesus.
Undoubtedly, this spectacle brought the viewers closer to the mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God and introduced us to the atmosphere of the long-awaited Christmas.
The roles of actors were played by almost all children and teenagers who, under the supervision of teachers, were preparing for the Nativity play for a month. The students performed in beautiful costumes and sung well-known carols or pastorals. The set could not miss the Holy Family, shepherds or angels. And when the Silesian family, sitting at the Christmas Eve table, appeared on the stage, its members talked about traditional, but also regional customs related to the preparation of the Christmas Eve supper.
Sr. Janina was watching over everything, who was moving the participants into the next stages of the performance. Dances, singing, playing many different instruments are the elements that enrich and enliven this Christmas performance.
The spectators were parents and invited guests who rewarded their children with thunderous applause.
It is amazing how many talents the students of the school in Brzezie have.
Thanks to God for His goodness, which is also happening thanks to the commitment of our sister Janina and the entire teaching staff of the school in Brzezie.
s. Małgorzata Cur
Dec 21, 2022 | NEWS
In the Philippines, many Christmas parties are held during this time. Different groups, neighbours, communities come together to celebrate together, make wishes and give each other small gifts. The sisters from the community in Manila organised a Christmas party for a group of women who have participated in all three editions of the sewing course at our house. The party was also attended by the Polish ambassador to the Philippines and his collaborators. It was a very joyful gathering. Many of the women who attended the sewing course are using the skills and are already earning money for their families by sewing. Some of them brought gifts to the sisters that they had sewn for them themselves.
Dec 21, 2022 | DAILY BREAD
21 December
O Oriens!
Gospel – Luke 1:39-45
“She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry…”. What was that greeting? A greeting that made the child leap and Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit. It is the greeting of Mary who was carrying the Word became incarnate. It is the greeting of Mary who entered into a profound dialogue with the Word became incarnate. It is the greeting of Mary who became the handmaid of the Lord. So, again what was that greeting? It was the Word and Presence of God’s intervention in the history of humanity. A greeting which announces the good news. A greeting that takes away the sins, wipes the tears, and embraces human miseries. A greeting that liberates the humanity. This can be seen in the loud cry of Elizabeth. The cry of the liberation of humanity. Advent is the time to be liberated through the message and presence of God in Mother Mary.
