November 26, 2012
Thanksgiving is behind us, and we begin our Advent Season of waiting and preparing.
Despite the Church’s correct counsel that Advent is not a “little Lent” (with its mortifications and resolutions), I seem to get into a mindset of making a few “Advent Resolutions.” Maybe because it’s the Church’s new year and a new year, to me, always suggests resolutions.
So what might constitute “Advent Resolutions”?
I take my cues from the readings of this very rich season: be on the watch, wait with active attention, and prepare yourself for something very good.
“Be on the watch” for the good in others, for their strengths, for their gifts. And tell them so. From such small, kind deeds ripple community goodness and inspiration, new breath, new life.
“Wait with active attention” by listening to the person across the table from you. Sometimes our conversation seems to be a waiting to jump in with my insight, or, as one person said to me, “listening in a conversation is simply a time to reload.” Waiting with active attention surprises the other that, across the table, there is an eager ear. As our God listens to our prayer.
“Prepare yourself for something very good.” Amidst the frantic shopping and the attempt to please many people, our Gracious God has something very special to offer us: the new and renewed presence of Christ in the middle of our lives. But we must prepare ourselves for receiving Him, as Mary and Joseph prepared themselves for His birth.
We Paulists are so very grateful to you, our generous supporters. We actively – with expectation and joy – wait together for the fulfillment.
Father Michael McGarry, CSP
President of the Paulist Fathers