Let Advent move our hearts
Recently, I was out walking, as I often do, reflecting on all that has gone on in the last few weeks, and thinking about how I would like to “let Advent” make things different. Of course, there is so much going on in my agency, especially as we prepare to make Christmas special for others, but how did I want to prepare? I decided that despite Christmas trees all around me, I would wait to put my tree up. “Good start,” I thought, and then turned to the readings for today.
How might the world “let Advent?” The reading from Isaiah describes a scene of people streaming to the highest mountain — the Lord’s house — for instruction and counsel. I couldn’t help but think of the war in the Middle East and the pain and violence that continues there. Yet the promise of this reading — “One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again” — offers hope that “they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” It reminds me of an expression often heard in my community: “From your lips to God’s ears.” May this come to pass as we await this Advent!
In the Gospel, the Centurion waited patiently when he did not implore Jesus to go to his servant but trusted that Jesus would honor his request. This suggests another way to “let Advent” — request and trust. What will you request? Will you allow the grace and patience of God to bring it to fruition? A very similar request is made before receiving Communion at Mass, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
As we enter into these Advent days, may we, in our place in the world, take time to “let Advent” move our hearts, help us listen a little more carefully, soften our edges and move us to acknowledge our need for God so that we might, in the words of the psalm, “Go rejoicing to the house of the Lord!”
Happy Advent!
Sr. Betsy Van Deusen is a Sister of Saint Joseph of Carondelet who serves at the CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, NY, and serves on the Executive Committee for the CCUSA Council of Charities Directors.