These daily Advent reflections will explore connections between simple living and abundant life on the earth. They are inspired by the Advent Simplicity Challenge at the Ignatian Solidarity Network.
Sign up here to receive the reflections each day in your inbox.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: We are meant to be in relationship with one another. As climate change causes unprecedented occurences, the need for strong connections is more important than ever. Reading time: 2 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Early Christians show us a model of how community can bring about true abundance, rather than each person trying to meet their own needs. Reading time: 2 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Struggling with managing your media usage? Consider a technology sabbath to unplug and take a break from your phone, computer or other devices. Reading time: 2.5 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: One high school senior at Cristo Rey St. Martin is finding ways each day to to keep our environment clean. Reading time: 2.5 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Food is the most common item we consume, though many of us are disconncected from where and how of what we eat. Reading time: 3 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Dec. 16 marks the beginning of the celebration of las Posadas. What distracts or prevents you from making space this Advent to welcome the season's most important guest? Reading time: 2 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: In a household of two, there are four spatulas. It may seem like a silly area to focus, but the spatulas are a symptom of a bigger problem. Reading time: 3 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: This week as we reflect on simple living and consumption, "How much is enough?" is a question for us to pray over and honestly evaluate in our own lives. Reading time: 2.5 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Gaudete Sunday reminds us that the coming of Jesus is near. It also reminds us that true, lasting joy comes from God, not gifts. Reading time: 90 seconds.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Today's Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a reminder that in our journey toward simplicity, we are called to stand with indigenous communities, migrants and refugees. Reading time: 2 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Where does what we buy originate? How might the purchases we make this holiday season choose "the health of the whole community"? Reading time: 2 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: A less-stuffed suitcase led to an epiphany about living simply for one senior at John Carroll University. Reading time: 3 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: When money becomes our focus, it takes away our freedom to love our neighbor and to be in right relationship — with each other and the earth. Reading time: 2.5 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: What were you told growing up about the relation between money and happiness? When have you felt that you were living most abundantly? Reading time: 2.5 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Too often, our treasures can seem tucked in department store sales. But how and where we spend our money can also demonstrate what we value. Reading time: 2 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Begin the second week of Advent by reorienting ourselves in natural candlelight and the light of our faith. Reading time: 3 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: For many, the days of the pandemic may have felt repetitive. But each moment, even the ordinary ones, is an opportunity for God to speak to us. Reading time: 4 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Two college students rethink the word "dominion" and what it means for living more sustainably in our common home. Reading time: 2 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Within our fast-paced lives, it can pay to pause, especially at this time of year. How might pausing invite you into a simpler way of living? Reading time: 90 seconds.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: When we are conscious of what in our lives we value most, we reconnect with those things that are most meaningful. Reading time: 2 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: When the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas seem to speed up, what are ways to slow life down? Reading time: 60 seconds.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: What trappings of the "good life" are stumbling blocks for you? What are ways you can embody the abundant life that Jesus models? Reading time: 2 minutes.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life: Shift your gaze from the frenzy of the Christmas season to what is most essential in our lives with this new reflection series for Advent. Reading time: 60 seconds.
