Advent is taken from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming.” Its equivalent Greek term is parousia, a term that reminds us that Advent is a season of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Birth of Jesus and for the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time.
Advent calls us to be awake and vigilant, ready for Christ to come among us.
Check out our Advent resources, including an Advent Retreat, on IgnatianSpirituality.com
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As Wisdom Story 6 pointed we must not forget that in the midst of our celebration of the Incarnation and our antcipation of the Second Coming Christ is already here with us manifest in the faces of those we love and minister to.
For me that reminder of Christ’s presence in the here and now is most palpable in the Eucharist when I receive what I am called to be among all those who are my companions on the same journey.
For the next three Wednesdays I am doing an Advent series at church. I will start out by asking the participants to try to pray through this Advent as though this is the first Advent they have ever experienced. Yesterday, I think God said to me what is good for the students is good for the teacher. After a lovely service and some nice visits during the coffee hour, my wife and I went to our van to find that the front right window was smashed in. A small backpack was missing from the car. Since I am wheelchair bound, the backpack contained a urinal, wipes, and an absorbant pad, and nothing else. So my first Sunday of Advent had something I had never experienced before. I found myself wanting to hate the culprit for the glass that was everywhere and ridicule him for being such a fool. But I think God was calling me take very seriously every word I will say on Wednesday. I must forgive the vandal. I must pray for him since he must be desparate economically. I must pray that Jesus come into his life and help him find what he needs in a more constructive way. In addition, God sent Ruth and me a wonderful blessing. Five members of our church community including two priests worked diligently for about a half an hour to clean up all the broken glass inside and outside of the van so that I could drive my wheelchair into the van and so that we could drive the van away with getting glass in our tires. I knew before that we are in a loving community, but I know it more than ever and give thanks to God. My prayer, “Come”, was answered in God’s own way.
Oh, Eric! How do you make that shift in focus. Finding good in some of the less than wonderful things life throws our way. You inspired me! I will be praying with you and for you. God Bless.
M.
Eric,
I was thinking of your experience all night and it kept coming to me that you might want to share with your group a few more virtues your story so strongly reflected: hope, compassion and community. You not only have struggled to forgive this culprit but you have had the perspective of compassion for what might have driven some one to this act and hope in their conversion. Additionally you mentioned the strength of your community of faith who saw your need and responded. These are virtues that also have an important place at the table when we reflect on what Advent calls us to.
I know one of the hardest things to do, at least for me when leading others in prayerful reflection, is to share those personal experiences that have brought us down the path of grace because I am always afraid of crossing a line and making it seem like it is all about myself, but there are situations in which it is helpful to model for others the process of who we come to see situations thru the eyes of faith. Only you know your audience I’ll be praying that grace continues to lead you as you prepare for Wednesday.
Maura,
You made a wonderful suggestion. I have a partner in these Advent presentations and we have worked together and have a limited schedule. In addition I already have one personal sharing planned for the presentation. I have been thinking about how I might tell people about Sunday’s experience, but I am afraid that there will be no time.
Eric
Maura,
I will share my story via a handout. Thank you for suggesting that it be shared.
Eric
Everyone,
I’m truly sorry not to have been in on this discussion – we have had problems with our server and, besides, things at work have been even busier than usual.
Eric, your account of what happened to your van and your response to it made me so proud of you and I want to thank Marg and Maura for offering their help and support. Thank goodness, too, for your supportive faith community.
Paul