Liturgical Readings - Second Sunday of Advent /USCCB
Reflection:
This Sunday we reflect on Advent readings of hope and God’s timing. Advent is a perfect time because it is the time for hope. We are being guided by the writers that waiting will give way to hope but we have to wait. In the first reading, Isaiah was instructing the Jewish people who were in exile. The people have lost everything and are feeling defeated and in fear. He tells the people that God will give comfort to his people. “You are my people; the glory of the Lord will be revealed” (The Savior is coming so prepare the way). The people are instructed to wait patiently.
The second reading, 2 Peter 3:8-14, was written during the persecution of Christians. The early church was a church being pursued and persecuted. The writer stresses that we must wait on God. With the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. The Savior is coming, do not fear, be hopeful, and wait on the promise. “Beloved…await these things and be found without spot or blemish.”
The Gospel reading also echoes hope and waiting. In Mark 1:1-8 we meet John the Baptist. He was a messenger of hope. He was driven and had a purpose. He was doing the work that he needed to do. In Mark, there is a blending of the other readings. Hoping and waiting for deliverance through the coming Messiah.
So here we are. We as everyday people in the current world left hoping and waiting. Isn’t that our human condition? We wonder if God will move quickly? Do we get mad at God if he doesn’t? Waiting; something I really don’t like to do. I love the microwave, the minute clinic, the E-Z pass, coffee at a drive up window, order things from my iPhone, the quicker the better, no lines, no wait, no discussion, just move fast. Self-check at the store is for me. I embrace all new technologies that speed things up. Consider my self-talk, but do I have to wait? I don’t have unlimited time, I’m going to miss my flight, should have done TSA Pre Check, can’t we go faster, too many red lights, I’m going to be late.” I hope and I wait.
So why does God want us to wait? What do we do? How do we live? In our human condition we struggle with the relationship between hope and waiting. We have no other choice but to move forward while we wait. We must make decisions in real time. Waiting can be a faith struggle. If we don’t recognize it, we are doomed to blame God or other people when our timetable isn’t met. We will be habitually frustrated and angry. The good news is God knows we are human. We have legitimate concerns in our everyday lives. Our families young and old, our jobs, our everyday concerns of wellness, the world, and current events. This is our life. If we respond with kindness we hope things will work out. Often times it doesn’t.
The answer for me lies in 2 Peter 3:8-14: Hope + Waiting = Patience. “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some regard “delay” but he is patient with you…”. God understands us. He knows that we may be doubting, weak at times, unforgiving, extremely busy, and impatient. At times life can be brutal. We face disease, disasters, and tragedies of all shapes and sizes. We are required to be focused on the things happening around us. We aren’t naturally praying and at church all of the time. We are in the arena getting bruised and pressing on. When we pray we don’t always have the luxury of sitting in a quiet place. Even if we are we can still be distracted, impatient, and thinking of something or someone else.
The hidden miracle is God knows this. We are positioned right when and where we need to be. Within the fabric of our everyday lives we develop everyday routines. God knows this. It’s in the routine, the struggle, the unease, the doubt, that we actually may without planning it, move closer to God. If we truly pay attention and attempt to reframe the routines of life into God’s directed opportunities, then we can move closer and closer to God in grace though Jesus’ example. Consider Jesus birth, which we are preparing for during this advent season. A new mother and father looking for a safe place to have their baby. Lot’s to be worried about. They had to accept their humanness. They were alone and had no place to go. Not welcomed or understood. Not a good time but the baby was coming as babies do and they needed to be patient no matter how much pain and worry was involved. God would move things along in God’s time like all pregnancies do. Like all things in nature do. Like our lives do. Whether we like the waiting or not.
So, this Advent don’t go it alone. I will try to be more patient. You and I have family, friends, a supportive church, and lots of people in the world that need something only God knows we can help with. For us that is our miracle and hope. Sometimes it’s even worth the wait.