The prophets call us to repent, wake up, reorient our lives and be open to God
Most of us have experienced waiting for something that we’re hoping for. If we are honest, we probably would admit that we’re not really good at waiting and being patient. Because convenience is so much a part of our lives, we are used to having things done quickly the way we want. What is laid before us in the Scriptures for the third Sunday in Advent is the promise that God has made to us and to all creation. We are still waiting for its fulfillment. Two things are necessary if we are to experience the fulfillment of the promise of God: We need to remember God’s promise and we need to practice the virtue of patience along the way.
The promise is so clear in the Scriptures this weekend and throughout Advent. We can look for some clearly defined characteristics. The deaf shall hear, the mute shall speak, the lame shall walk and the poor will have the good news preached to them. We have heard that the lion will lie down with the lamb, and the child shall coexist with dangerous animals. When John the Baptist was in prison, he checked in with Jesus to make sure that the one he had been anticipating had finally arrived. John was a prophet who did all that he could to prepare a way for the promise of God to be fulfilled. He had not made it all about himself but had pointed the way toward the one whose sandals he was not worthy to untie. John, like the prophets who preceded him, had spoken for and about God, but never claimed to be God. They were put in awkward and dangerous situations so that people who were misled or lost could hear again the promise of God. It was a call for them to repent, wake up, reorient their lives and be open to the fulfillment of God’s promise. Those same prophets speak to us today with a similar voice and message.
To practice the virtue of patience, we have to believe the promise will be fulfilled. That all might be one is God’s intention from the beginning of creation and remains the same until today. Evidence around us proves this hasn’t been fulfilled. We are not one with each other, with creation or with God. God’s heart and mind has never changed. God is the unmovable and unchangeable gift of love.
What do we consider to be the present hardship in life? Are we being patient in the midst of that hardship? Have we acknowledged the fact that there’s a hardship or do we simply tuck it under the carpet or numb it with some destructive behavior? Is our health and well-being challenging or failing us right now? Is some relationship more of a struggle than it has ever been? Do we find ourselves in a difficult situation that we don’t know how to get out of? Have we been so disappointed with life that we have rejected even the idea of God being real? Is life so good that we have taken it for granted and pretend as if we are entitled to the good life? Have we given into cynicism and hopelessness and refuse to let the promise of God’s love flow through us?
Practicing patience means acknowledging whatever is difficult and choosing to be present to it rather than running away from it. The kingdom of God is at hand, and now is the day of salvation.
Father Donald Wester is retired and serves as lecturer of homiletics at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
