Advent through Christmas -- 2007
Sunday, December 16, Third Week in Advent
Why Am I Doing This?
She lived alone, as so many do. And she felt it especially at Christmas, as so many do.
Decorating her Christmas tree, she began to argue with herself, an argument she’d had several times before in these days before Christmas. “Why am I doing this? No one will see it, and I don’t need it.”
Then she heard herself say, “You have to do this. Not so that others will see it, but to remind yourself that the hope is real – not just words or a dream. It’s real. Jesus really did come. And so you really have a tree, and you decorate it, and you buy real gifts, and you go to Midnight Mass, and you have a real Christmas dinner.
“This is how you keep the hope alive and real.”
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In the three-year cycle of Sunday Scripture readings during Advent, the first reading always describes the words and/or actions of one of the prophets.
Today is traditionally called “Gaudete Sunday.” The Latin word “gaudete” means “rejoice.”
Advent through Christmas -- 2007
Sunday, December 16, Third Sunday in Advent
God’s Big Dream
John the Baptist did what God wanted him to do – he prepared the way for Jesus.
But John never lived to see the results. It wasn’t long after the incident in today’s Gospel that John was killed.
Now here’s a thought.
Am I willing to be part of something, invest myself in something that I’ll never live to see fully accomplished?
Some of those great cathedrals in Europe took over 100 years to build. People could work on one all their lives, knowing they’d never live to see it finished.
Well, God's plans for this world are far greater than our minds can grasp. God’s dream is a big dream. It includes all creation.
There will come a time when there is peace, and wholeness, and truth, and love. But I doubt any of us will live to see it.
So, do I throw up my hands and give up? Do I just try to get out of life what I can in the few years I’ve got?
That’s the question.
Am I willing to invest myself in a great work – God’s work – that I’ll never live to see finished?
Spend some quiet time with the Lord.
