Season of Advent: The Law of Waiting and the Foundation of Hope
Introduction
Many years ago, I read a book titled Dawn without Darkness by Anthony Padavano. Padavano presents an insightful observation: everything in life is built on waiting. He notes, “we wait for life, we wait for death, we wait for all things as we journey through our life – waiting, he suggests, is the law of life.” This enduring theme of waiting presumes that, throughout our lives, we gain a deeper understanding that waiting forms the basis for expectation. It is through this expectation that the foundation of hope is established.
Expectation and Hope in Advent
As we enter the First Sunday of Advent, our theme for reflection centres on this expectation and hope. The promises made long ago rest upon the belief that God is truly with us. Through our journey of faith, there is a profound sense of expectation that God will act in history; it is in this anticipation that our hope grows and finds breath. Advent invites each of us to pause and seek the God of compassion, mercy, forgiveness, and love within our daily lives. This is not a passive waiting, but a faith expressed in action—acts of ‘hesed’, or loving kindness and service to others.
Living the Journey of Hope
This time of year resonates deeply with the human experience, reminding us that life itself is a journey. Our waiting and expectation are purposeful, mirroring the meaningful journey we undertake in life. This journey is grounded in hope. From here, the themes of Advent—Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love—come into clear focus, both individually and collectively, throughout the Advent season.
Conclusion: Emmanuel—God With Us
The liturgical year begins with shouts of ‘Emmanuel’—God with us. The Reign of God is present, offering guidance on how we might live and participate in this kingdom of love, peace, hope, and joy. Through waiting, expectation, and hope, we are invited to embody and share these gifts throughout our journey.
Prayer: God of all, fill us with joy and expectation in this Advent season, and move us to share our hope with others, by being a good neighbour, that we might be found ready, when you come in glory. Amen. (Light the first candle in your Advent wreath)
Have a good week. God go with you,
Paul 
Scripture reflection: First Sunday of Advent Year A, 30 November 2025.
You must be ready. .
Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom.
LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Isaiah 2:1-5
Responsorial psalm: Ps 121(122):1-2, 4-5, 6-9
Second reading: Romans 13:11-14
Gospel: Matthew 24:37-44
Link to readings – click here
Today marks the beginning of the new liturgical year and the season of Advent, a time of watching and waiting, of longing and preparation for the Lord.
Isaiah (First Reading) presents his vision of a peaceful world, where weapons of conflict are turned into tools to rebuild communities, as people grow together in God’s love. The Psalm continues this prayer for peace and security, with a reminder to look to the Lord for guidance on how to live in unity, peace and joy. In the Second Reading, Paul urges the Romans to wake up; to abandon thoughts and behaviour that keep God in the dark, and to live in the light of his love. He is direct and uncompromising, but reassuring that God’s salvation is as attainable as putting on new clothes.
The theme of awakening features again in the Gospel, as Jesus calls on people to ‘be ready’ for God’s salvation by living in love and faith. Jesus uses examples ranging from the dramatic events of Noah and the flood, the mundane image of workers in the field and at the mill, and the unexpected thieves breaking into a house. All these highlight that God is constantly inviting us to follow his example in all that we do.
As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee year, we reflect on how we might cast off old habits that keep us in the dark and walk in the light and hope of God’s eternal love.
Formation: These days have been concluded for 2025. Thank you to all those parishes who participated and shared food, conversation, faith and friendship.
Safeguarding: “Working Together for a Safe Church”
Any complaints should be directed through the National Office of Professional Standards (NOPS) or report directly to the New Zealand Police or Oranga Tamariki.
Phone: 03 365 1993 or 0800 114 622
Email: prof.standards@nzcbc.org.nz
www.safeguarding.catholic.org.nz
Five Ways to Well Being
Reminder: 5 Aims and Goals of Passionist Family Groups.
- share & celebrate life & faith
- support one another (especially in need)
- reaching out to & include others
- build community/extended family
- show and give example to children
Please remember in your thoughts and prayer:
- Please remember Ollie Schmanski and his parents Brad and Charlotte
- Please keep Jill Graves and family in your prayer. Also pray for her daughter in law who is in hospital and whose mum died recently.
- Please keep in your prayer Billy Uasaki – also Jocelyn and Family
- Please remember Dee and Peter Costello’s grandson and parents Katelyn and Reuben. The recent news is positive but the prayers will assist.
- Please remember Barry Straight his wife Viv and all the family and extended family.
- Please remember Clare,Daryl Pritchard and family
- Please remember Jocelyn Bryant, Kev and family in your prayer.
- Pease keep Di Buckley in your prayer
- Pat Smith RIP and keep in prayer Maureen and family; Remember Pat Carson; Graeme Matthews; Adrian van de Pas and her son Robert ; Graeme and Margaret Armstrong
- Please remember, Tim Bartells & family, Linda Darbyshire and family in your prayer, Christine Geoghegan’s daughter Kate and extended families, Pauline Prendergast, Robyn Burns (Hill,) Sean and Ann Mulcahy, Dot and Neill Wilson (Invercargill) Paul Davenport, Clair and Ray Hague; Terry Nelson’s family;. Brian and Eleanor McFlynn ; Bryan Davidson; Richard and Sue Gibbs; Martin and Sally van der Wetering; Phil and Anne Drew .
- Keep in mind all those who are struggling with various aspects of mental health;
- Keep people in Gaza and Israel in your prayer along with the people of the people of Ukraine: Keep in prayer the people of Sudan and Syria.
- Pray for peace and sensible and just decisions by leaders across the planet.
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- Your own intentions
Humour:
- What do you call a herd of sheep falling down a hill? A lambslide.
- How do you organize a space party? You planet.
- How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh? Ten-tickles.
- What do you call a potato wearing glasses? A spec-tater.
- What do you call a moose with no name? Anonymoose.
- Why did the ram run over the cliff? He didn’t see the ewe turn.
- Why did the picture go to jail? He was framed.
- What is a calendar’s favorite food? Dates.
“We Are a “Family for All”