Dear Parishioners,
There was a time in this country when employers had all the power. They set the wages, the hours,and the working conditions. The employees had no say in the matter. They either agreed to the demands of their employer or they looked for work elsewhere. Naturally, this resulted in many abuses at the hands of those in power. Thank goodness that didn't go on forever. Even children negotiate the terms of the games they play
These details are best worked out before the game even begins. Otherwise, it can be disastrous. We like having a say in our futures, in those things that affect us and our small comer of the world. The idea that some things in this life are out of our control can often be unsettling. We don't want things to be unpredictable. We always want to know how things will be, what to expect, what lies around the next comer. We want to be involved in setting the terms that impact us. And the one area of our lives where this is most evident is in our relationship to God.
You see, we often treat that relationship as a certain kind of contract, whether we realize it or not. How many of us do something for God and then expect God to return the favor? After all, isn't that the deal? How many of us say our prayers religiously, knowing that God will then "owe" us. Or how many of us act morally not out of love for God, but to "earn" our salvation? Yes, even our relationship with God seems to be contractual, something we can barter for and control to a certain extent. But we could not be more wrong. Our relationship with God is not a quid-pro-quo relationship. It's not this for that. We don't "have to" act a certain way because God has done something for us. Nor does God ever owe us a single thing, regardless of how many good deeds we do. Our relationship with God is a covenant, a unique bond formed out of love and respect. And in a covenant, neither side can be forced to do anything or act any certain way. Each party is allowed to live within the covenant freely, by choice. The wonderful truth is that although we may fail in living out the covenant, God never will. God is faithful, as we heard in the Second Reading from Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. We may choose not to love, but God never will. We may stray from the path, but God never strays from us. We may act selfishly, but God only acts completely selflessly. We may continually sin, but God continually invites us to amend our lives and return to him.
But there is one caveat, and it is this: God sets the terms. And they are nonnegotiable. Nowhere is this more evident than in the ways God comes to us, the ways we encounter him in this world. We don't get a say in the matter. God not only determines the "when", but also the where, why, and through whom. (Our reluctance to accept this reality is what often keeps us from recognizing our God who is striving to encounter us in all areas of our lives) We look for God on our terms, and we fail to see the God who comes to us on his terms.God's way is always the best way, as you've heard me say over and over again. Advent is a special time. But the fruits of this season will not "magically" blossom in us. They will only make a difference in our lives if we prepare for our God to come to us in unexpected ways. Think for a minute. If the Jewish people would have been allowed to choose how the Messiah would come to them, would they have ever chosen the actual way God chose? Would they have ever wanted their Messiah to be poor, powerless, rejected, and put to death?
Today we start the holy season of Advent --- a time of waiting, preparation, and joyful anticipation. We're reminded by Jesus to"Be watchful!" and "Be alert!" We don't know when the time will come, when God will place himself directly in our path. However,if we're looking for him only in a few places, or in certain circumstances, or through particular people, there's a good chancethis Advent will pass with us still wondering where he is, why he doesn't make himself more known, more visible.That's only because we continually try to negotiate the terms of our spiritual lives. If we'd only let God be God, we'd be in a much happier and healthier place. The terms that God sets are always in our best interest and the interest of others.
This Advent, let's sit down at the table of the Lord and let him set the terms. And in faith, let's sign on the dotted line with full confidence that what we're agreeing to is a life full of peace, joy,and love. No benefit package better than that. Finally, I urge you to make these times of turmoil and uncertainty, moments for finding ways to get closer to God and our neighbor. In this way we are preparing our souls for the birth of his Son Jesus Christ born in Bethlehem in our souls.
Blessing to you and your family my good people of God!
Father Alex