December 11, 2022
Matthew 11: 2 – 11
Today’s Gospel poses the same question to us as it did to those in Jesus’ time “What do you go out to see?” The fast pace of our lives may obscure the reality that we do seek…but for what? More…of what? Other than…what?
This sacred time of Advent beckons us to spend time in the waiting quiet of hopeful anticipation. The Advent scriptures are particularly rich and invite our pondering. We might begin this Advent journey asking what it is we seek now, at this time. Perhaps our deepest longing is to meet the divine in a tangible way. The Gospel for today cautions us about setting specific expectations, like where that will happen and what if will look like. So if we assume meeting the divine can only happen in a church building or in a religious ritual, we will miss the emerging presence of God in the ordinary and simple events and people in our lives.
This Advent time of waiting is also a wonderful opportunity to become aware of how we wait. Perhaps a good example would be standing in line for a purchase while someone struggles to count out the exact change. Just close your eyes and notice how you feel and what the chatter in your mind is. If you find an anxious impatience, you might try to move to compassion for whatever difficulty the buyer might be having. Breathe in deeply and you will leave with a sense of peace and not one of anxiety.
I believe we are being called to find the gracious, abundant grace of our good God in every corner and, certainly, in every person we meet. If we set out searching for the divine presence in all of life, we will find all we seek, and more.
Matthew 11: 2 – 11
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”
As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you. Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
The Gospel of the Lord
Meet Sister Terry Davis, SNDdeN
