Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent
One of the most popular films I showed to the boys at St X over my 3+ decades teaching there was Remember the Titans (2002). The storyline concerns a high school football team and community in northern Virginia during the height of the Civil Rights movement.
In Virginia, high school football is revered. In 1971 it was everything to the people of Alexandria. But when the local school board was forced to integrate an all black school with an all white school, everything and everybody was put to the test.
Based on real events, a town torn apart from friction comes together by faith in God and faith in one another. After leading his team to 15 winning seasons, beloved white coach William Yost is replaced by tough, opinionated, no-nonsense “yes, sir” “no, sir” black coach Herman Boone (Denzel Washington). By grit and self sacrifice they turn a hostile group of young men into champions both on and off the field. And both coaches experience conversion along the way.
The scripture that sustained them and is quoted throughout the story hails from our first reading today from Isaiah: Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength! They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint! - Isaiah 40:30-31
Inspired by Isaiah’s words, the young men persevered, overcoming the racism that divided them. They RELIED on the LORD to renew their strength. Above all else they HOPED in the LORD!
As those young men learned, and as we move through Advent, how can we likewise hope in the LORD to renew our strength? December can be the most joyous yet most stressful time of the year, so let us remember that all stresses pale before the desires of God.
What God desires isn’t the perfect Christmas tree or carefully chosen gifts (although those things are nice). God at Advent and at all times desires for us belonging, serving others and above all preparing spiritually. These are what keeps us going in hard times and times when we are overwhelmed, placing our priorities right.
Wait on the LORD! Hope in the LORD! Isn’t this the heart of Advent? Coupled with determination, service and justice for others, as those high schoolers showed the way all those years ago, we, too, will “soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint.”
Why not spend this Advent weekday praying the above words from Isaiah 40:30-33? May we “wait upon the LORD!” may we “hope in the LORD!” Let our focus be on what truly matters.
—Timothy J. Cronin