I see the beginning of Advent this Sunday to be kind of a ‘start’ button, a renewed beginning to a time of welcome, awareness, and surrender. A simple but telling line in last weekend’s second reading reminds us that the Lord is our connection to all three of these: “…in him all things hold together.” (Col 1:17) We know that Advent is a time of waiting and doing our best to prepare ourselves to receive the Lord. Nothing is more important in this season than that, but while we prayerfully prepare, this time of waiting can also be an invitation to be held together by completely welcoming the friendship of Christ, becoming more aware of the unexpected ways He accompanies us, and surrendering all the other ‘waiting’ in our lives.
While we wait in hope for the coming of the Lord, our Advent journey can also help us open our hearts and spirits so we fully welcome the life-giving friendship that will sustain us, comfort us, and guide us. When we share our deepest struggles with the Wonder-Counselor and our overwhelming worries with the Prince of Peace, He is there for us in faithful friendship to show us the way. And through that friendship, He will lovingly accompany us as we move forward in faith. We have this time of Advent to especially focus on our relationship with the Lord, recognize where He is present and actively reaching out to us, and be more aware of the abiding graces we might be missing. This time of Advent is an invitation to create a space to both be with the Lord and wait for Him. Waiting is difficult. We may be waiting for an event, for a change, or for a decision. And though there are times of waiting that can be pleasant, they can too often be worrisome, stressful, and tedious, and God does not want that for us. Whatever our hearts are waiting for and hoping for, Advent, and its invitation to focus with true faith on our relationship with the Lord, is a perfect time to offer them up in trust.
How can we use this time of faithful waiting to welcome the merciful and healing grace of His friendship? What can we change so we better hear His guiding voice, especially in unexpected ways? What prevents us from being fully renewed by His abundant love? Advent is the promise that hope is coming; it is near. Let us pray that our time of waiting, focus, and awareness is fruitful and that our hearts are filled with enduring hope.
Journeying to Grace 