Hear then, O Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen. Thus says the Lord who made you, your help, who formed you from the womb; Fear not O Jacob, my servant, the darling whom I have chosen. I will pour out water upon the thirsty ground and streams upon the dry land; I will pour out my spirit upon your offspring and my blessing upon your descendants. (Isaiah 44:1-3)
We all think of Advent as a time of joy and anticipation, but what we sometimes fail to remember is the anxiety and fear that comes with this season. When we look to Mary during her waiting to bring the Savior into the world, we often acknowledge her courage and strength. But, if we look closely, we can also see a woman who is anxious and needs support and comfort from those around her. Shortly after receiving the news that she would bear this special child, she leaves to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who has conceived an important child as well. There must have been a small amount of fear in both women as they contemplated the significance of the children in their wombs.
We share in the anxiety of Mary and Elizabeth as we wait to give birth to our lives in Christ. The constant questioning of God’s plan for us dwells deep in our hearts. But as each day of our waiting passes, we are being converted and formed into who God intends us to be.
We, as children of God, are chosen to fulfill the promise of Jesus. During the Advent season we are called to be people of hope, people of joy, people of the light in the midst of the darkness that seems to encompass our current world. How can we be this “chosen” people in our daily lives, in our daily connections with the people with whom we meet at school, work, in our community? Can we see God within us today as we encounter all of the problems affecting those around us? Our neighbors are losing work, are hungry, homeless, uninsured, and living in fear. They are apprehensive of what the future holds for them.
God calls us to pour out our spirits, our gifts, and our hope to the people who are hurting. Timothy Radcliffe, OP, says, “Waiting for the coming of God is not mere passivity. We do not only wait with the poor, we share their struggle.” Sharing in this struggle is more than purchasing what they need. Purchasing gifts is one way to give of ourselves, but to share in the struggle of the poor and our neighbors is more than buying things. In our city of Adrian, we participate in a program called Share the Warmth. This program is an example of members of the community working in solidarity with our homeless population. We share a room and meals together, and work hand in hand to provide a warm bed for the cold winter nights.
Advent is a season of pausing to reflect on our Christian lives. It is a time of waiting in solidarity with those around us. We are called to share in the struggles of our neighbor, to recall that God is present in us. Amid all the anxieties of our world, Emmanuel is with us, bringing joy in our sorrow and hope to our fear. AMEN.
Authors: Members of the Formation Program of the Adrian Dominican Sisters
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| Sister Emmy Choge |
Sister Xiomara Mendez-Hernandez |
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| Candidate Erin Muldoon |