Advent, Christmas and Epiphany: Stories and Reflections on the Daily Readings [With Book]

In this work author and retreat leader Megan McKenna expands on readings that "were meant to startle us...tear us out of the usual pattern of our days." These readings are about restoration, deep transformation, and a commitment to creating "a future for all," she writes. She spells out the terms of that commitment with frequent references to Catholic social teaching. Reflections on hunger and war are two examples. On Wednesday of the first week of Advent the first reading from Isaiah speaks of the Lord's providing a feast of rich food and choice wines. The reading from Matthew relates the feeding of the four thousand. McKenna reminds us that we are created in the image of God who "spreads the table before all of us." However, she continues, we are not allowed to "indulge in empty, self-satisfying prayer-forms while the majority of those God created die slowly and miserably without enough daily food." On Monday of the third week of Advent, war is the focus of the reading from Numbers. It is about the prophet Balaam, who was hired to bless the Moabite king's plan to destroy Israel and seize power for himself. In the end, Balaam, despite his intention to give the blessing, speaks only the words of God. McKenna suggests that a modern version of the story finds a twenty-first -century president invoking the just war theory before bombing another country. She reminds us that God can use us to bless as well as curse and to "confound the world at large." McKenna devotes roughly eight pages of reflections on the first reading, psalm, and gospel for each weekday from the first Monday of Advent through January 7. Individuals and groups looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the seasons will find a wealth of material that includes stories, quotations, and prayers. Note that McKenna has also written a volume of stories and reflections for the Sundays of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany in Cycles A, B, and C.