At this time of year my thoughts turn to many special people who
walked with me in life (my dad, my brothers, aunts and uncles, some friends) who
have died. I know their loving presence to me in life, but feel a great loss in
their death. I feel that they are with God and somehow still with me, but I
miss the fullness in life of who they are (were) with us here. Perhaps this is
true in many ways with how we struggle to “know” God’s presence. We believe
that Jesus did walk, talk and live among us. We remember as we reflect on His
words and life in the Scripture. We believe that God’s spirit IS with us now.
Yet, the fullness of God’s presence in our daily lives is something for which
we seek, pray and yearn...God’s peace and love in fullness.
During this special time of Advent each year, we step back to
remember that yearning, the hoping, that deep desire for God in our life, NOW!
But, as we go about our day to day lives, filled with “to do” lists
that seem to grow during the holiday season as we prepare to gather with family
and friends, we drift from the center of our yearning - the peace, the
Godliness in our lives.
God‘s fullness IS here, but not yet realized. That is what Jesus’
words call us to do; to build on a rock—to build on our faith in Him ! ! !
“Anyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them. . . .”
(Mt 7:21, 24-27)
It’s not enough to listen.
Action is called for! It’s insufficient to know what is good to do; one must do
the good that God has asked from one.
St. Paul reminds us that we are many parts, but we are all one
body. (1Cor 12) The gifts we have, we have been given to share. That means each
of us performs a unique, required task within the body of Christ. Each of us
does some good that no other person can do. Some have ministry for feeding the
poor, others visit the sick and the shut-in; still others help out the Church
in its various ministries. And still others simply pray--or pray simply.
Each person has a task, a form
of good that only that person may do. Even though many may visit the sick, the
visit of one particular soul to another may be more efficacious than dozens of
visits made by another - not because the other person is not good, but because
God has given us our particular tasks - and when we cooperate with them, we
multiply the bounty of His Goodness through our obedience.
So, don’t worry about the tasks given to others - tend to those
that God brings particularly to you. In this way we will multiply the blessings
given the body of Christ and we will please God so that He will shower us with
more gifts and more tasks. Everything we undertake should be undertaken solely
for the love of God.
In our readying for the Christmas holidays, we need to take some
time to stop and reflect in peace; to trust and be with God and do what is just. Building on our Rock means paying attention
to where those in need around us need the most help. Is the promise of God’s fullness among us
something we only hope for, or are we also open to working toward being God’s
presence in the now toward that day of fullness?
As we continue in our Advent journey, let’s pray the words of
Isaiah: “A nation of firm purpose (unwavering faith and living presence in God)
you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you. Trust in God forever!” (Isaiah
26:1-6)
It’s also a good day to pray for those who have no warm place to
rest their head tonight. May our Blessed
Mother keep them warm with the love of her Son.
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| Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death! |
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