Daily Reflections ...

Often, the Scriptures point to the ‘little ones.’ There is something about faith that calls for the eyes of the child. Advent is a sacred journey into eyes, which like the eyes of Jesus, truly see. The child sees simply, sees beyond labels (is not even aware of labels), and just sees friends to play with or marvels to be in awe of. Isaiah beautifully foretells the coming of the Messiah.  Does Isaiah refer to power and strength, mighty armies, and treasuries of gold?  No, Isaiah points to the one upon whom the Spirit of the Lord will rest. The longed for one will be a Messiah of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might (power with and for, but not over), knowledge and awe of the Lord.

As we set out on our Advent journey, what are our compass points? How will we know we have lived Advent well? We will grow to have eyes that truly see the dignity of all, ears that truly hear the cry of the lost one and a heart that will open in compassion for the needy and poor of the Earth.

But these eyes, these ears and this heart will require much humility from us. Each day of Advent, we will grow to know that it is God’s Kingdom that must grow, and we are merely God’s instruments. This journey will require the heart and trust of the childlike. Just as Paul, writing to the people of Corinth, referenced that the Cross is ‘folly’ (1 Cor 1: 18), so too this journey into love will not be easy for those who rely upon human wisdom and intelligence. Advent asks for humble eyes to see love in its thousand disguises and to hear the cry of the poor in every whisper of the human heart.

By Br Damien Price cfc