The people that we will hear from, and about, are somehow involved in watchful waiting. Now I have noticed that when I end the Presider prayers at Mass, or even distribute the Eucharist, there is this muted response from the congregants. Isaiah would recommend that we become bold and forceful in our response to the covenant. St. Paul tells us on this first Sunday of Advent to distance ourselves from a lifestyle of non-God-like living. Watchful waiting is a matter of full and active participation in the mysteries we celebrate.
In my very first Pastorate the Pastoral Council would have long and detailed conversations about the budget, lawn care, and building issues. But come the topic of evangelizing or pastoral care, these peoples became very quiet. And yet this is supposedly the mission and ministry of the Church - to proclaim the "Good News."
While the Advent season directs us to prepare for the upcoming Christmas season, and the coming of Christ himself, I would seem that we are always in this season of preparation. To be sure we are not always going to be kneeling nor have our eyes rolled heaven-ward, we are called to make great efforts to rid ourselves of Sin and sinfulness, and to learn habits that will lead to salvation and peace.
Sadly for many our faith life, and certainly our spiritual lives, are only slightly deeper than a finger bowl. Too often many of us tune out the Paschal nature of our faith and reflect only on the idea of a "Happy Jesus" who smiles and says nice things to us. This is why todays scripture is such a challenge for folks. If we take what we have received seriously that we have to boldly and loudly profess all that we have seen and heard in Jesus Christ.
Our faith really has to be a stumbling block for ourselves and others. The Good News should re-orientate all of our choices and decisions. So we watch, pray, and do Kingdom stuff.
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