Wake Up, Wait, and Welcome - An Advent Reflection for Oblates
At the end of the liturgical year and Thanksgiving lingers in our memories, it seems appropriate to give thanks not only for all our material gifts, but also for the spiritual gifts we have received during the past year. In a spirit of gratitude then, we can move into the season of Advent.
This Advent, I would like to suggest that we focus on three words that capture the essence of this season:
WAKE UP, WAIT, and WELCOME.
WAKE UP! “Now is the time; it is the hour to wake from sleep.” (Rom.13:11) we hear on the first Sunday of Advent. These words are very familiar to us because St. Benedict quotes them in his Rule. Fr. Timothy Radcliffe says that “To be awake means to walk in the light of the Lord, to be awake to the tiniest hints of the divine presence. What might be some hints of God’s presence in our lives? A smile? A word of thanks or encouragement? The grace to forgive? The generosity of an unexpected stranger? A moment when everything is quiet? The driver who gives us space to change lanes? Peace in our prayer time? And more.
Will you be awake
when God comes into your life unexpectedly this Advent?
WAIT! “Advent is the season of already and not yet” according to Mary Stommes. We already know that the Incarnation of God into our world has happened, but we long for the grace of that Incarnation to be enfleshed once again in our broken, suffering, and hungry world. The prophet Isaiah whom we hear almost daily in the liturgy during Advent offers reflection on the balancing of the tension we experience between trusting in God’s promise of love and mercy (the already) and the waiting in hope (the not yet) for the birth of new life in ourselves and our world. Imagine the tension Mary had in waiting for the birth of Jesus and then having to travel to Bethlehem at the last moment. Or reimagine the waiting for your first child to be born. Or the arrival of a friend you had not seen in a long time? To allow life to unfold in God’s time is difficult in our world of instant communication and desire for gratification. How will you await the new birth of Christ Jesus this year?
What will help you to be patient and calm as you wait?
WELCOME! When I envision “welcome,” I see a big smile, an open door and arms open wide to receive the gift of another into my presence. Sometimes no words are even necessary to say “welcome.” It is all about the warmth of your presence to your guests.
How will you prepare to welcome Christ and others
into your heart, into your home this year?
My prayer for you and your family is that joy and gladness will burst forth on Christmas and radiate the light and love of Emmanuel (God with us) which has come to new birth within you during Advent..
Love and Peace,
Sister Ruth Ksycki, O.S.B.
Oblate Director