Blessed are all who wait for the Lord
Are you ready for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ? Are you vigilant?
In his first coming into the world, there was much tragic happening. People’s hope slowly vanished as pain, sorrow and helplessness filled the air — and their lives. Our minds wonder and perhaps think how similar those days are to now…
However, every year we are given a special gift from the past: an opportunity to lift our heads towards the sky and re-live the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. “Blessed are all who wait for the Lord!” Today’s first reading and psalm affirm that all the pain we endure in this life — our broken hearts — will one day be healed and repaired. Jesus will save us.
It’s our hope that we will be gifted with this renewed life and be by Jesus’ side when He comes again. And hope is what we offer those we serve at Catholic Charities. They may come to us broken, hurt and damaged, but we become like Jesus’ disciples — doing His work and bringing His hope.
St. Ambrose, whose feast day is today, brought hope to many in his time. He was generous and had a great influence on people. Through his actions he modelled how a true laborer should serve. His firm trust and love for God helped convert the doubtful man we know as St. Augustine. We too must try to have qualities like his as we serve amidst the world’s pain, so that through us our Lord can work and bring His light to others.
I invite you to take a moment one evening to gaze upon the heavens with open hearts, to seek wisdom as we continue to anticipate our Lord’s second coming. Welcome hope in your hearts this Advent season as we prepare to celebrate his first coming. St. Ambrose, pray for us.
Dulce Valdez is parish and diocesan engagement manager at Catholic Charities Community Services (Phoenix), and chair of the Catholic Charities USA Parish Social Ministry Leadership Team.