November 28, 2010
Wake up! Be alert! It is the hour. These words bring us to attention as we begin this Advent season. St. Benedict would say, “Be sober and alert!” The reason we are being called to attention is because this holy season matters to us who are seeking God. We are to take time to watch and wait for something important is happening - Jesus has come, is coming and will come again. Advent brings new energy, new grace for encountering Christ if we open ourselves to it and pay attention.
November 30, 2010
And so I do begin. Thank you Lord, for making me your child. Help me to grow in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Help me to become your peace and justice to others. And please help me to become close to you this Advent.
Todays reading: Luke 10:21-24
At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’
Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’
It’s true, Lord, Blessed are the eyes that see what we see. Faith has given us eyes, and ears in these troubled times to see You, to hear Your Voice. to seek You and to Love You. Even in the darkness, we seek you. Even in our own desert, we seek you, although we may not hear your voice as clearly as we desire.
This Advent has begun with so much sorrow around me. Again, I am walking through a valley of tears, with friends who have parents who have passed away, brothers who have been brutally murdered, sickness and hospital stays. I experienced three days of extreme pain in my shoulders, back and arm, where movement was excruciating. Even strong painkillers didn’t help much. On the third day, I rose again, (ha ha, not a holy rising, but at least I could stand and I was able to go to church)
It seems every Advent is a struggle against the world. Consumerism, time, noise … it all fights with my soul.
But there is always the penitential dying to oneself available even in that. Trying as hard as I might to kill my pride, encouraging seeking and seeing truth, discovering more about myself, my strengths, my weaknesses. And in so many ways I should change. God is good and is revealing much of this early in my advent journey.
Today’s question is really a realization that God has adopted me. And wow, yes, I see that. Many people born into the church may not recognize the adoption as clearly as one who is a convert. Father Mario was clearly speaking of that last Wednesday.
The Lord’s adoption announcement might say. “Yes, I called her many times. I reached out to her many times through people, through books, through music, through art. I tried everything. This stubborn child was always looking for me, hearing my voice, but then running away. I rejoiced when she stood and made a decision to turn towards me. Her guardian angel supported her all the way. The company of her family in heaven, now saints, were imploring with prayer that she perservere. And then the day happened. Every day since has been an adventure. The first five years were the most interesting, as there was a serious tug of war between satan and myself. Watch her grow now. She tries, and I smile. She wants to be a saint. I will guide her. There’s a long, long way to go.
