AN ADVENT MESSAGE FROM THE HOLY ROSE

AN ADVENT MESSAGE
FROM THE HOLY ROSE




DEAR SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN CHRIST,



This morning I was so sad that my daughter was still not well enough to go to mass.
At the moment the Holy Rose has two sculptor visitors from Munster, Germany, who brought us a beautiful cross and walnuts and red apples from their own garden
and some lovely spices for our Christmas bakery.

The cross, made by Margret Sandmann is made in a special technique. She explained that she wanted to emphasize the hope that Christ brings to us and indeed the movement of this earthen cross that was sealed over an open fire is full of hope and takes us to the stars. Last time she brought us an angel and a torso, and together it is so symbolic for the second coming of Christ. The Cross, the angel descending and then the incarnation as the man, who will prove that love really is the only valid path in the one holy kingdom on earth.

We had a long conversation about the difference of 'liking' somebody or 'loving' even God's enemy. She said that she finds it very hard to love her neighbour, when all s/he does is to try to make her life a misery. We are called to love our neighbours, not just to like them. Let me give you an example, of how it feels to do that: Last night I popped out quickly to a local shop and on my way back I saw a lady, who has displayed an appalling behaviour towards many people and towards me recently. As I refuse to judge her and to have any bad thoughts about her I can easily imagine her in a bubble with all her inner child yearnings that once came to her from God in order to show her the path of her soul. I know that deep inside her she still has the memory of this. So, all I see in her is that her destiny has somewhat been darkened over the years, and I try to think of ways, how I can bring out the light for her, too, again. Of course, she has made things so difficult that my method of choice is prayer for now. But it is very powerful as yesterday I felt so much love towards her that has grown through my prayers for her. God shows us ways to wish only ever the best
even for our and His worst enemies. All I could think about, when I saw her last night was, 'will she get home safe' and I watched her steps until she was out of my sight, and I knew from then on she would only have a short distance to walk safely home. It is a wonderful feeling to thus transform any resentment or evil into an act of love. She will probably never know that my only concern was for her in that moment but that does not matter. We are all asked by God and by Christ to shower our
love unconditionally and selflessly. If we are out for a medal and public recognition we are in the wrong frame of mind.

My friends said: 'But this is such hard work!' Yes, it is at times but faith makes everything possible, and the love that God equips us with makes it all easy to bear.
We all carry our own cross in our own way and that is given to us by God. He always makes sure we only get as much as we can carry, as He trusts us and He loves us.
Yes, it does stretch us at times far beyond our limitations, and very far away from our comfort zone. In fact, there is no buffer zone left, when God calls us. As He wants all from us, total commitment in order to manifest His heavenly kingdom on earth. And He is with us all the time. We only need to listen to His loving voice and counsel and we will never get lost. Even in silence He talks volumes on entrusts us the spiritual riches of heavenly treasures that are far beyond comprehension and exceed any earthly measures.

As we could not attend mass we blessed the two wreaths I had made accordingly to the lovely suggestions that I had sent also round for you earlier.


We prayed: "O God, by whose Word all things are made holy, pour forth Your blessing upon this wreath, and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ."

And I would only like to add to this: In Jesus Name may His will be done. AMEN

Tonight we will sit around my table and will sing Advent songs, recite poetry and today's bible readings in English, German, French and Hungarian, Latin, Hebrew and so let our brothers and sisters, who are with us in spirit join us.

I will pray for you and think of you all, as you are always in my heart and prayer. Try to go the extra-mile for your neighbours and love them, not just like them.
Land a helping hand and give them a smile or share your chocolates. Every kind gesture is seen in heaven and makes all the angels and saints rejoice with you. You are never alone as God is watching in joy from above at your soul fulfilling its most holy role.

We all have so much to be grateful for, and I always say to my daughter: 'If anybody should receive presents at Christmas it is Jesus! And not us!' I pray for the poor soul, who lost his life in New York at the shopping madness after Thanksgiving day and I pray for those, who were injured in the process. It cannot get any more concrete and sad than that in order to show that materialism has nothing whatsoever to do with the coming of Christ. On the contrary - we give freely, what we have been given freely and we share it all year round, day and night. The heavenly gifts are not available through money but are granted to us only by the grace of God.
And for the grace and love of God we sing His praise and give thanks for His beloved begotten Son Jesus Christ, for whose second coming we are preparing in obedience and humility and through the love of God and for our neighbour.

MAY THE INFINITE LIGHT OF GOD AND OF THE COMING OF CHRIST SHINE BRIGHTLY UPON YOU, KEEP AND PROTECT YOU FROM ALL EVIL, HARM AND ANXIETY AND FILL YOUR VERY HEART AND SOUL WITH JESUS' BROTHERLY OR FATHERLY LOVE.


God bless you!



Your Mother Superior

Sigrid (Eliora)