Advent Surprise at Benedictine Living
Most years, Advent is not only on my radar, but it is uppermost on my mind, because I look forward to this season so much. This year, it took me by surprise, and it didn’t really dawn on me until Thanksgiving Day that it was right around the corner.
Always the first Sunday of Advent is about being prepared, because we don’t know when the Lord will come for us. This year, we have St. Luke’s version, which is particularly unsettling and includes Jesus saying “people will die of fright” and “that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth.” These are pretty grim words, even though he says that all this terror will mean that our redemption is near.
I found out that originally the word “surprise” was not something one would look forward to, because it meant to be ambushed – sounding much like the Gospel reading. It makes me happy to think that “surprise” has evolved into something joyful.
The candle for this Sunday represents “Hope.” I like Advent partly because it is so dark this time of year, and the darkness makes the light of candles and decorations, and loved ones opening doors for us all the more beautiful. In the darkness, wonderful surprises are hiding, not just frightening ones. Seeds are under the snow and the time of waiting is necessary for new life to burst out again in spring.
May you be blessed with some quiet time this season to find hidden treasures of meaning and renewed hope in your own life.
Sister Joan Marie Stelman, OSB, senior vice president, Mission Integration