Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from You.”

Who are you kidding? Are you joshing me? (An expression we Americans use meaning are you teasing me? Or, you can't be serious!) This could be an honest response to the Advent phrase “Come, Lord Jesus!” or any similar references to the coming of Christ. Our more thoughtful response might be: “I’m praying the Lord to come now? I’m not ready! My life is a mess: ill-will toward others, abuse of sex, too much drinking, up to my neck in debt, etc." Or, “I’m pretty conscientious but my focus is on family, people I love and who love me. I enjoy food and drink, travel, parties, dancing, music, sports. I'm still hoping to see Reykjavík. I try to honor and even love God by the way I treat others, but I’m not ready to leave all this.”

The Coming can refer to the end of everything, to my death or to the Lord's coming in Christmas. The latter is quite a bit more cozy and comforting than thinking of the other two. Christmas reminds us of the manger, the angels and shepherds, and all this mingled with snowflakes, mulled wine and sleigh rides. In the manger we have a child, come to live and share our life, even its worst suffering, to show God's love. The coming of the Lord can also refer to his presence in Scripture and Sacrament and in our fellow worshipers at the Eucharist. That again is easier to take: but coming to a roll up of creation or to my death? That's another matter.

But meeting the Lord as we pray, sing and take communion with other believers during this Advent can help us prepare for that final coming. Some personal prayer during the silences at Mass can help us develop a greater trust in God's love for us. That can help us face death with less fear and more as a return to the loving God who gave us life and all it holds in the first place and waits to receive us back.

Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”

Reply to Fr. Don at: DTalafous@csbsju.edu

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