Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
The scripture readings of Advent invite us to recall our faith history, to assume the posture of the expectant people of Israel, waiting in joyful hope for the coming of the Messiah. Seeing what is happening in our world today, we realise, like our ancestors in the faith, that we have a very real need of a Saviour. So, words like waiting, yearning, hoping, longing, listening, praying, and staying awake are Advent words, Advent concepts. Through them, we enter the wistful atmosphere of the Advent season.
“Waiting in hope” is the signature tune of Advent, and this year, more than ever because of the pandemic, we long to hear the melody of hope in our lives.
Waiting can give us the opportunity to see and hear and feel things we are often too busy to notice. And while we wait, we may see other waiting people, pensioners, parents, teenagers, young children, and notice the look in their eyes, the joy, the pain, the hope, the despair; we may see beautiful things, ugly things; we may hear a kind word, a cruel word, a baby’s cry, a shout of rage, a snatch of music… Such experiences are all part of the Advent journey.
(Adapted from Teresa White fcj)
Reflection: Which of the Advent themes speaks most powerfully to my life currently? As we begin our journey towards General Chapter 2023 what is my deepest hope for our congregation? Other reflections?
We Pray:
For the desert places in which we walk, the streets we roam, the paths we cross, guide our feet Lord. Take us to places you would go, give us words that you would use, that in this Advent season of promise and preparation, we might point the way, with John the Baptist, to where you are. Amen!
