If you have accepted the invitation to enter Advent, you are stepping into a time of contrasts. There may be days when the tension of what is "out there" in the world will be in stark contrast to the rhythms of your prayer....your Advent preparations.
The reading for today offers an encouraging description of the spiritual society accompanying you and all the faithful Advent Pilgrims. You are amongst the watchers and waiters. With all the saints you are lingering around the words spoken for ages by people of faith who trust that the Lord approaches …and that everything, absolutely everything, will be made “right” in His presence.
The words of St. Paul encourage you when the scoffers would have you say that this has all been a nice fairy tale… Unbelievers will say: "there is no “Happily ever after” in store for any of us. Therefore, grab the gusto now while you can…" What the scoffers fail to grasp is that just as we are waiting and watching for the unfolding promise, God is waiting as well. God is waiting patiently for the scoffers to respond to the hope that WE amplify by OUR waiting.
You are amongst the beloved who are being given specific instructions in this letter that will assist you as you wait, along with all the rest of the faithful. Focus upon the promise made by God that something absolutely amazing is before you. This promise has been passed to us through the prophets…it is the foundation of the passion and purpose that has empowered generations of people to participate in the miraculous “good” that breaks through the world’s darkness.
Accept the reality that the promise abides in the midst of the darkness of the world, including the imperfection which is yours. This acceptance helps to realign what claims your attention. The message of scoffers will come in myriad forms: voices, seductive advertisements, encouragement to fast forward to instant gratification of all desire. But their message dissolves in an instant…whereas the promise has reverberated through time.
Trust that as you are waiting, your patient prayer moves you ever closer to the heart of God. Your prayers may seem timid and shy…Others around you may question the value of this practice of “waiting”. You may wonder how your Advent voice can be heard in the midst of so many other scoffing teachers and tempters…. But this Advent practice IS nourishing your growth in grace and knowledge in Jesus Christ. All that is essential and lasting is expanding while you wait….
No comments:
Post a Comment