Reflecting on Nano Nagle as we end our Advent journey:

By Sr Susan Richert:

Advent; John the Baptist; Nano Nagle, Me and You

A Herald’s voice in the desert crying,

“Make ready the way of our God,

Clear a straight path.

Every valley shall be filled

And every mountain and hill shall be levelled.

The windings shall be made straight

And the rough ways smooth,

And all shall see the salvation of God.’”

Nano Nagle, like John the Baptist was one small voice in the Cork of the 1700s. Her actions were also a sign of hope for the poor.

She too, was faithful to her call to be prophetic- to make a change in the corner of the world where she found herself.  She did this by changing one person at a time. Nano did little – but knew that “her little” plus God would be enough.

Change begins in the desert of prayer.  John the Baptist lived in the desert and prayed. It was in prayer that Nano received the light and strength to realise her prophetic call.

She became a sign of hope for the poor of Cork in her day and for so many others since – as her Sisters continued to live what she had begun – in various places in the world.

When we look at our world today – the discrimination, violence, injustice, hate, prejudice, exclusion, abuse, inequality, poverty and so on – it would be very easy to think – “I can’t do anything or change anyone.”

But God is calling each of us today, just as John the Baptist was called, just as Nano Nagle was called, I, too am called – to be a prophetic witness and a sign of hope – I am called to birth Jesus into our world.

Where do I need to be changed and converted – to be willing to birth Jesus into our world?

Can you and I risk as John did? Can you and I risk as Nano did? Can you risk as Jesus did?

Will you start changing the world by changing one person at a time?

Can you and I – be the hands, the feet, the eyes of Christ in our small corner of our world?

Together we pray –

Jesus, looking beyond Advent, help me “clear a straight path” for you in my heart. Give me the courage to do something about what I see. Clear my vision so that I may see myself and others through your eyes and so be a sign of hope to the hopeless in my small section of this world. Amen

John the Baptist was just one small voice whose cry was – “Make justice a priority.”

His words sign of hope for the poor of his day. He was faithful to his call to be prophetic He prepared people so they could recognise Jesus.