December 4

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” Mt 7:24 

This academic year the SJP community has been focusing on three aspects of simplicity: minimizing distractions that lead us to diminish others, building tables of welcome, and creating bridges of connection. These areas of focus are grounded in the words of Pope Leo XIV to leaders of diverse religious traditions who attended his Mass of Installation in May. 

Advent is a time of reflection, a time to focus on where we are grounded and whether our grounding, in the words of today’s Gospel, is on a strong foundation of rock or on soft sands so easily worn down. In our world currently, it is easy to diminish, judge and tear down. We see this happening on almost a daily basis. However, such engagement is clearly built on a weak foundation of sand.  Attacking, demeaning and diminishing does not allow others to flourish, nor does it create a culture, civic or ecclesiastical, in which all can grow and live as “unique expressions of God’s love in the world.” 

Through my XBSS experiences, I know the more we foster connection, the more we engage with others and invite those who are on the margins to the table, the stronger our community becomes and the more effective we are at embracing all people as created in the image and likeness of God. 

From readings and stories of the Brothers, I am convinced, now more than ever, that the “freedom and liberation” promised in the Fundamental Principles comes from embracing all people as created in the image and likeness of God, setting our foundation on rock and leading us to nurture strong communities committed to knowing, valuing and loving. 

Emmanuel, God with us, this Advent season, empower us to build tables of welcome and bridges of connection grounded on the rock of your love. 

Ed Hardiman