The afflicted and the needy seek water in vain,
their tongues are parched with thirst.
I, the LORD, will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will open up rivers on the bare heights,
and fountains in the broad valleys;
I will turn the desert into a marshland,
and the dry ground into springs of water.
The promise of Advent is the assurance that the Lord has not forgotten, and will not forget, his people. By his own initiative, He claimed the children of Abraham -- both physical and spiritual -- as his chosen and beloved people. We have only to wait upon his mercy in this world of continual upheaval. With that assurance we live each day in hope, and with that hope we find the courage, energy, and resources to survive. And more than survive. There are times when we thrive.
But we must not be so foolish as to surrender our hope when the times are good. Prosperity is never that secure. If we're caught up in maintaining the good the Lord has given us; increasing it; or in taking it for granted: we risk neglecting our hope in God's providential care. We've thrown the baby out with the bath.
Without the continual, intentional practice of Hope, we become distracted and prefer the Lord's gifts to the Lord himself. But they are given only for the present moment to sustain us through present trials. Hope looks to the future. It reminds us of the brevity of passing things. Nothing lasts forever despite our best efforts of maintenance and security.
Whether we're enchanted with God's gifts, or preoccupied, or burdened -- they're all distractions and amount the same thing. They hide the first hard lesson we ever learned, "You are dust and to dust you shall return."
In Advent -- the season between Thanksgiving and the New Year, the season of too much of everything -- we should not be consumed by consumption. We must remember our helpless, pathetic poverty and God's gifts of promise and hope.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.