Advent Reflections: December 19

Joy

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
   and out of Egypt I called my son.”

Hosea 11:1

 Reflection

In the silence of this moment, imagine a moment in life when you faced a particularly difficult situation. Think about that situation and all of the details that encompassed it. Perhaps you felt fear. Perhaps you felt anger. You may have felt frustration, confusion and helplessness in changing your situation. Perhaps you felt a sense of hopelessness and found that faith was difficult to cling to.

Now imagine the moment that you realized that unexpected circumstances were finally going to transform your situation, and what was once an issue of great difficulty was about to turn the corner for the good. Can you remember the overwhelming relief that you felt in the realization that everything was going to be OK? Can you remember the feeling of release as the burden seemed to be lifted from your shoulders? Do you remember the joy that suddenly overcame your fear?

Mary and Joseph also faced a difficult situation. With their new baby boy and the challenges of being young new parents, they also faced anxiety and uncertainty. Fearing that his reign and power would be threatened, King Herod forced this new family to become refugees and into exile. In fear and confusion, they were forced to flee their home in the dark of night and move to a foreign, unfamiliar and unwelcoming land. More than likely, they felt abandon and frustrated, knowing that if Jesus was really divinity in human flesh, why would God have allowed things to suddenly deteriorate? As God had delivered the tribe of Israel from Egypt through the hand of Moses, why would he not deliver them from the same land of captivity?

 

But circumstances changed, as they often do. God intervened and began to set into motion a plan that would change the course of history. Imagine the joy that overwhelmed Mary and Joseph when they finally heard the words, “It’s time to go home.” In perfect timing and within divine circumstances, God illuminated a path in the darkness that led them out of exile. They would finally bring their baby home in safety, and eventually see his Christ nature burst forth for the entire world.

God’s plans, timing and circumstances do not always line up in the way we think they should. They don't always fit the pattern of what we believe our lives are supposed to be. We often find ourselves waiting in our own places of captivity and exile. Our own Egypt. Spiritual refugees. We feel fear, frustration and anger, many times even questioning our spirituality and our very faith in God. But when we begin to see difficult situations change, and the details of God’s plans coming to perfect fruition, the burden suddenly begins to be lifted. Fear dissipates. Anger subsides. And joy overwhelms us once again. 

        

Prayer

Most Divine God, as you brought a poor family of refugees out of exile and revealed the perfection of your divine plan, let us all remember that you are always faithful, you are loving and you can always be trusted. Deliver all of us from spiritual, emotional and physical exile. Even when it is difficult to realize, enable us to come to the spiritual truth that you are our source of joy.

May Peace, Shalom and Shanti be with you all!

Haribol!