Winter always makes an appearance, sometimes in the world around us, sometimes in the world within us. The time of the sun diminishes and the coldness of the wind increases. The freshness of life seems to vanish with the once green leaves. But often, even in the cold, we can feel the warm rays of the sun on our face, promising that someday spring will return. Winter never has the last word.
The first Sunday of Advent’s initial reading sets a winter scene, “we have all withered like leaves, and our guilt carries us away like the wind.” In the responsorial psalm we ask to turn to God and face away from the wind of guilt, “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.” A different wind, the wind of our repentance, will take us toward the warm face of God. Although God has already saved us from winter, the second reading looks ahead to an eternal spring. We “wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,” which is God’s final Advent. This is the ultimate gap bridging event when God becomes all in all with the universe through Jesus. The Gospel cautions us to “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.” So we continue to pull our coat tightly around us and face toward the sun.
Next week the mouse will share some of Jesus’ difficult sayings, and we will reflect on how to treat a pet during Advent. Meditation and prayer will consider some traditional prayers.
bridgingthegaplessgap 