Thanksgiving is behind us and I hope you had a wonderful time. This Sunday is the beginning of the Advent - a new beginning. So I invite you to leave politics and frustrations behind and use this time for something much better and much more important - for your spiritual life.
Today let's look at how we talk to God. A prayer life is one of the most important and difficult elements of our relationship with God. If we look at the Gospels, we can find that our Lord Jesus Christ spent a lot of time in prayer. He always went to a quiet place to talk to his Father. We do not know much how He prayed, but what we know is his prayer at Gethsemane. "Father, if it is possible, let this chalice pass me by. Nevertheless, let is be as you, not I, would have it"(Mt 26:39). There is a very deep mystery in this one sentence. It contains overwhelming trust and love between the Father and the Son. "Take this chalice away, but because I love you perfectly I will take it as you wish." Yes, this is the deepest unity in prayer - giving oneself entirely to God.
Advent is the perfect time to learn how to do it. I encourage you to take half an hour every day to spend with God alone. Do not talk to Him. Rather listen to what God is telling you. Listen to how he is helping you to carry your chalice. You will discover that every step you take is with His grace and His presence. It is in this silence that we can start again and again and again.
Have a holy Advent.