3rd Sunday of Advent

 Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11
Psalm: Luke 1:46-50, 53-54
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28


 John the Baptizer has always been one of those characters I find very mysterious.  He's sorta the guy who appears to have the minor role in the play but it is indeed a crucial one.  He makes these appearances, does his little tap dance and then disappears.  The two main things I know of John is that he "leaped in his mother's womb" and then became this crazy, weird guy who lives in the desert eating bugs and proclaims Jesus as the Messiah (and of course baptizes Him). 

I have been blessed to give birth to three beautiful sons.  Each pregnancy was a little different but I can honestly say that none of my boys "leaped" in my womb.  I loved being pregnant and enjoyed the time when I could feel the baby moving around, sticking an elbow out as if to say, "Hey, I need a little more room in here".  I think these baby movements solidify the reality that there is a baby in there.  "Leaping" at the presence of another unborn baby - not in the realm of my experiences.

Thinking about this causes me to reflect on a couple of scripture verses.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." - Psalm 139:13
"For I know well the plans I have in mind for you," says the LORD, "plans for your welfare not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope."

It seems to me that John knew the plans God had for him from the very beginning.  He knew what he was supposed to do. "John the Baptizer understood that life wasn't all about him. He emptied himself willingly and was thereby able to reveal Jesus to others. His humility opened a space within him for true joy to take root and he was set free! John is a sign of contradiction for an age drunk on self worship and lost in narcissistic self absorption. He is held out to us as an example in Advent to show us the how we can find happiness as well."  (By Deacon Keith Fournier - Catholics.org)

I think about John as an adult and about how he was very counter cultural.  He was isolated and lived a life very different from most.  He was pretty much invisible.  I wonder about all the invisible people I fail to notice every day; all the people I judge before knowing anything about them.  What important role has God given them in the creation of His kingdom?  

How do I get in the way of God's will?  How am I sabotaging God's plan with my self absorption? What joy am I missing because I'm self-absorbed? How can I be the light that leads others to Christ? These are big questions to think about and pray about.  I know I will find a more joyful life when I get out of God's way.

Let us pray the words of John Baillie, " O Light that never fades, as the light of day now streams through these windows and floods this room so let me open to you the windows of my heart, that all my life may be filled by the radiance of your presence. ... Let there be nothing within me to darken the brightness of the day." Amen

Here's some scripture study for this 3rd week of Advent that I enjoyed.
Advent Reflection: Learning Happiness and Freedom from John the Baptizer   
Advent Scripture Study - Sunday Readings 
Scripture Study Calendar

Songs
Yes by John Waller
Alive by Rebecca St. James

2nd Sunday of Advent-2011

Isaiah 40:1-11
2 Peter 3:8-15
Psalm 85
Mark 1:1-8


I've never been good at waiting.

When I was expecting my children, I never enjoyed being pregnant like I’ve heard some other women do. I was focused on the next step—the conception, the first sonogram, the next sonogram, the next test, the arrival of the baby. In retrospect, I should’ve enjoyed the journey a bit more. But that’s never really been my style.

The only way I have ever been able to tolerate waiting—for anything—is to distract myself or divert my attention to something else. During the year-long engagement that I just insisted preceded our wedding, I focused on the wedding preparations and finishing my master’s degree. When I was just starting out in my career, I focused on the next step up the ladder. When my daughters were born, I couldn’t wait for them to walk and talk. (Now, could someone please get them to be quiet?!)

Advent is supposed to be a time of waiting, and I suppose it’s too easy to focus on Christmas and forget all about the waiting, preparing, listening, and watching part of the Advent season. It’s easier to go ahead and skip right ahead to the main event. Our society reinforces this idea. No one has Advent music, and the closest you can get to Advent decorations is a wreath. I’ve had an Advent wreath for several years, but I never remember to get it out in time to use the first candle. Someone needs to call me on Halloween and tell me to get prepared.

Our readings for this week remind us that we are to “prepare the way of the Lord.” The Old Testament reading from Isaiah has the classic line I’ve always associated with Advent: “A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” The same language is repeated in the Gospel of Mark: “As it is written in the prophet Isaiah—See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’”

But what does that really mean? How do I go about preparing the way of the Lord? I can’t get my Advent wreath on the table before St. Nicholas Day. How on earth can I prepare the way of the Lord? And why would he want me, anyway?

I usually love Advent, and I usually love Christmas. This year is different. I never expected to still be mostly unemployed, with my ragtag collection of inadequate, part-time jobs—during Advent. And I know enough about how Human Resources departments work to know that I’m likely in the same situation for Christmas. Everyone fills the position in January, after the holidays. So, I guess I’m waiting. Whatever is happening in my life is on His time, not mine. And there have been way too many miracles sent my way for me to believe that all this waiting is for nothing. He has a plan—a great plan—not just for me but for lots of other people. I have a part in it; I just can’t see the whole script. And I can’t see the schedule. I don’t know what’s next, and I have no idea how long this part will last.

The New Testament reading this week from 2nd Peter has some thoughts about time. “With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.”

OK, so His time is not my time. But what was that part about Him being patient with me? I think it means that there is a point to my waiting, just like there is a point to waiting during the Advent season. I don’t know what it is right now as I’m not privy to the plan. But it’s pretty clear to me that my time now, just like all our time during Advent, should be about preparing for Him. Whenever I feel inadequate or don’t know what to do next, I’m going to send up the prayer that says it all: “Lord, help us to reflect You in our lives.”

My friend Ellen’s dad taught her that one, and it’s one of the many blessings Ellen has brought to her friends and CRHP sisters. So in this time of preparation, what can we do to reflect Him in our lives? I think whatever our path, wherever our journey takes us, we can make it straight for the Lord if we keep that thought in mind.

Lord, help us to reflect You in our lives.

Songs for this week:
Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant: If you’re thinking he can’t use you to do what He needs done, think about the fact that He chose an unknown teen to be Jesus’ Mom. He knows what He’s doing.
Prepare the Way of the Lord by Jeremy Riddle: If you need a little Christian rock to get you in the mood to prepare, this is a good one.