Today(Thursday) we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is interesting to juxtapose Mary's perfection and freedom from Original Sin with our own fallen state. Indeed, the gap between what we are called to be and how we actually live is so daunting a distance as to discourage any attempt at it. We can certainly be grateful that Jesus came for people such as us," It is not the healthy who are in need of doctors; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:17
During this season of Advent we are reminded of an aspect of God that we often forget. We are so used to thinking of God as ever-present and all emcompasssing that we forget that he also ARRIVES. He is constantly arriving to us through acts of grace. He arrives into our hearts through the actions of others. He can arrive through the act of giving. He arrives to adults through the wonder and trust of our students and children. He can arrive in us from what what we say and also when we do not speak. As David Haas wrote in his song, " You are Mine":
I will come to you in the silence
I will lift you from all your fear
You will hear my voice
I claim you as my choice
Be still, and know I am near
David Haas
I pray that this and every day of Advent we are able to remember the ever-arriving nature of God. I pray that we may find some silence and solace in the midst of the holiday mayhem. I pray in gratitude for the SFX community, especially the children. Finally, I pray we have the grace to let God enter our hearts and minds just as Jesus entered into our world.
