3rd Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10

Psalm 146

James 5:7-10

Matthew 11:2-11

“What did you go out to the desert to see?”

I love the desert. It’s where I grew up. The desert lives in my bones. The heat, the cold, the incessant wind all speak to me of extremes, even harshness, but also home. The sweet smell of the rain, the peace on a silent evening, the brilliance of the diamond-studded night sky calm my soul.

The ancients went to the desert to find God. Whether it be in the stark wilderness or the absolute solitude, they knew God awaited them there. I just spent the last year in the desert. What did I go out to see? What did I expect? I wanted to learn to pray. I found silence. I sought peace. I found desire. I sought God, and though I am inconsistent even in my wanting, I found a desire to spend quiet time alone. I yearn now for the desert.

The Scripture says that God found Israel in the desert, “in the wilderness, a wasteland of howling desert.” God, find me! Care for me and shelter me. Guard me as the apple of your eye. Teach me to fly as the eagle with her young. I know that, like John, this will involve times of doubt, darkness, and loneliness, but Lord, I must have you! I fear that I, too, may come to the end of my life still wondering in you are the one. Yet, even in this, I know you will show me the wonders you accomplish that I am too blind to see.

2nd Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 11:1-10

Psalm 72

Romans 15:4-9

Matthew 3:1-12

Transformation

I’ve never been one to promote the ascetical life. It always sounded like I, too, needed to be dressed in camel’s hair and eat off locusts. [Just the visual image is disturbing!] However, slowly I’m coming to understand that I don’t have to live like John, but I do have to listen to that “voice crying out”.  In this light, asceticism is simply living a spiritual life: taking responsibility for my actions, and courageously transforming the wolf, leopard, lion, and yes, even snake within me that act as predators to my own innocence. Isaiah paints a different picture of the end times. There will be harmony and profound peace. The violence and gentleness within will be integrated into peaceful relationships. John, however, is clear. I must “produce good fruit as evidence” of my repentance.  A friend once told me, “Charlotte, the sisters don’t want to hear your ‘Sorrys’ anymore. They want to see you change.” That’s where I see these readings taking me: welcoming another as Christ would, thinking in harmony, allowing that Child to lead me, taming the anger and ambition…so that a straight path can truly be prepared in me.

1st Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 2:15

Ps 122

Romans 13:11-14

Matthew 24:37-44

Plowshares and Pruning Hooks

I love this quote, “They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. No more shall they train for war again.” How appropriate this is in our world today! How even more appropriate in my life! Plowshares and pruning hooks are far better than weapons. Yet  I have allowed myself to fire and refine many weapons over the years! Self-centeredness, the subtle disregard of another’s opinion, hidden agendas, manipulating to get my own way…all are weapons. Yet God stands by ready to show me how to turn these very weapons into tools that help me dig deeper in the spiritual life and cut away the wreakage I have caused. I must only step back and welcome the light of truth that shines on my darkness that I may admit my character defects to myself and others, work on rooting them out of my life and choose to channel my positive energies into the doing God’s will each day. Only then can I hope to be ready for the Lord who comes when and within whom I least expect it.