Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
You aren’t the Messiah, and I am not the Savior. Now that we have that established, let’s focus on who we are and what we are to do. Based on the Scripture readings, our role is fairly clear: to prepare the way. For an entire year, I told a seminarian whom I was working with that he needed to live in the reality of seeing himself as a beloved son of God. His “belovedness,” I told him, is his primary identity in Christ. I told him again and again to be open to God’s love, like a parent instructing his or her child through repetition. Months went by, and after a seminary retreat that was led by another priest, this same seminarian came to me and said with great excitement: “Our retreat leader was great! He told me that I am a beloved son of God—it blew my mind! It has completely transformed my spiritual life.” I tried not to let my jaw hit the floor as I thought to myself with exasperation: “I have been saying the same thing to you for months!”
If you are a parent with children, you might be able to identify with this experience. You tell your kids again and again, and while they nod their heads, they do not listen. But, eventually, it sinks in—though it often comes to them from another source. While it is initially frustrating, I have come to appreciate such experiences because they remind me of my role: to prepare the way. The most important thing is that we help prepare other people’s hearts to receive Jesus Christ. It doesn’t matter how Jesus touches another’s heart, or through whom, (or even when) but just that He does.
John the Baptist was regarded as a great prophet. John was great because he didn’t get in the way, rather he pointed to Jesus. He prepared the way. It’s our witness of fidelity to God and our vocation, our small acts of charity, our thoughtfulness, our generosity, and our sacrifices that largely go unnoticed, but all in some way contribute to preparing the way for Jesus to act. We must let our entire life point to Jesus.
Reflection by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB
Posted in Articles for Advent, Daily Reflections