Advent is a season that draws our hearts to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Each year, we remember the events of her life leading up to the birth of Christ and reflect on how those events can inspire our own lives as we near the coming of Christ at Christmas.
In her pregnancy, Mary models for us the importance of patient expectation.
Though she longs to hold her child in her arms, she must first live through a time of preparation and waiting.
Because of her unwavering trust in God, her patience is manifested in a hope that shines through every word of her Magnificat.
Mary also shows us how to handle the challenges that come our way in life.
From the life-altering visit of Gabriel at the Annunciation to the difficult journey to Bethlehem for the census to giving birth to her child in a stable, we marvel at Mary’s faith and endurance through difficult times.
Of course, Mary inspires us to have a profound love not only for her perfect son but also for others in our lives.
After hearing the message of the angel, her first inclination is to make haste to serve and love her cousin Elizabeth.
Challenges, blessings, and opportunities
In the Diocese of Madison, we are in the midst of a different kind of season that also calls us to love, patience, and overcoming challenges. Our Into the Deep initiative is nearing the sixth-month mark.
Parishes are getting used to coming together at new times and places to worship our Lord. Priest teams are settling into their new homes and striving to get to know all their parishioners. Masses are fuller but also sometimes feel different than what we knew.
Like any big change, Into the Deep has challenges mixed in with blessings and opportunities.
Yet by imitating our Blessed Mother, we can also thrive in the midst of change and grow in our own love and patience.
A time for self-reflection
St. Paul’s beautiful text in First Corinthians provides a helpful tool for an Advent self-reflection.
A favorite reading at weddings, 1 Cor 13:4-7 draws our attention to characteristics of love. The opening words are very familiar: “Love is patient, love is kind.” Take a moment before Christmas to examine your own heart.
Look at the text from First Corinthians and everywhere you see the word “love” substitute your own name.
As you read through the statements with your name in place, identify the parts that feel challenging. Are you patient? Are you kind? How is your hope?
The parochial administrators, priests, and staff members in all our pastorates have been working very hard since July 1.
The task of bringing together different parishes is not easy. But we need to remember why we are doing this.
By consolidating our resources, we will be able to move from maintenance to mission.
Instead of accepting the status quo of declining Mass attendance, sacraments, and faith-formation numbers, we are taking concrete steps to renew our commitment to evangelization, youth engagement, and service.
As we journey through the last few weeks of Advent, let’s take our inspiration on love, patience, and endurance from Mary.
Pray for our priests, pastorates, and diocese, and remember Gabriel’s words to Mary, “Nothing will be impossible for God” (Lk 1:37).