Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
Have there ever been people in your life who make you feel like you just can’t win, like you will never be right no matter what you do or you will never be good enough? We feel like this as parents sometimes. Our two year old wants to do everything on his own. We tell him to put on his coat and suddenly he wants us to help him. So we try to help him and he pulls away yelling because he wants to do it on his own. Some days we feel like we truly cannot win. But he is two. When adults act like this, it is much harder to accept them, forgive them, and still treat them like children of God. “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard…’ Human beings will always find something to criticize.
No matter what we do, there will be critics and people telling us it is not enough. This is particularly frustrating when we witness someone trying to do a good thing - a work of charity or justice or just simply a good deed - yet others complain that it is not enough or that it is too much. As Christians we live in this tension all the time. The tension between action and contemplation, between prayer and good deeds. We hear it in our politics, in our schools, in our churches. “But wisdom is vindicated by her works.” We can fall back on the fact that when we act from our faith, when we align our beliefs and values with Christ, we will be vindicated. We each have a unique call to holiness. It is unique to us and as we strive to respond to this call, God is present. In our first reading, Isaiah shares God’s words, “I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go....If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea.” Our actions reflect our values. How are we spending our time? Where are we investing our energy?
The season of advent is much about anticipation and preparation; anticipation and preparation can be very exciting and tasking, yet they can also be centering and cleansing. This season offers us an opportunity to prepare to gather with family and friends--exciting, tasking, cleansing (hosting a group usually serves as a great incentive for cleaning the house). It also offers us the opportunity to reflect on our lives and prepare our hearts for the incarnation of Jesus--centering, cleansing (also exciting!). Let us reflect on our lives. What are our beliefs and values? Gifts and talents? How are they in sync with our actions right now? How are they out of sync? In small moments each and every day, may we follow God’s lead. Our Psalm today reiterates the results of this effort, “Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.” We can take small steps each day to be the best version of ourselves, to be who we are meant to be. This will certainly not eliminate criticism. We may still feel sometimes that all of it is not enough, but we have faith that our prosperity will be like a river. As we continue to journey through Advent, let us take a moment to reflect positivity and light to others, even if we are met with criticism. Radical discipleship calls us to follow Jesus. “The Lord will come; go out to meet him! He is the prince of peace.” Alleluia indeed!
Abundant Blessings,
Brandon & LeeAnn Meyer