Reflection on Sunday's Reading, Advent 3B : What are We Waiting For?

Image: {{PD-1923}}-published before 1923 and therefore public domain in the US

John 1: 


"There was a man sent by God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and the world did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become the children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.


And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (v. 6-14) "

John the Baptist again. We can’t shake him can we? He is a persistent Advent visitor... 
Let's keep listening in on St. John's the Evangelist's tale, shall we?...

"John testified to him and cried out, This was he of whom I said ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me’. From his fullness we all have received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (v. 15-16)….


 …'I am the voice crying out in the wilderness; make straight the way of the Lord.'(v.23)…


 …'I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.' (v.26)"

 ~~~~~ 

Among you. 


Did you catch that?

Among you…stands one whom you do not know.

Can you imagine it?

Almighty God. Creator of the Universe. The very one who fashioned the human cell. The one through whom quarks came into being. The one who envisioned waterfalls and coral reefs and ….daisies. And made them happen.

Among his creation.
Standing there, in flesh and blood.

Photo: Nick G., click for license

Like us.

Born of a woman, to work for his dinner and sweat and laugh and…hit his thumb with a hammer, maybe.

And touch countless people with hope and healing and...life,... through his earthly ministry.

And take upon himself the sins of the world, in a rather gruesome fashion.

For us. His creation.

It’s remarkable; have you thought about it?

Really…it’s remarkable. We stand in awe, don’t we?...When we really think about it.

~~~~~

He’s almost here…He’s already been here…He is here….
He’s coming again.
We really ought to sweep off the doorstep and polish the mantle…of our souls…. And think about what a wondrous gift it is… What a wondrous gift He is. Don’t you think?

That’s what Advent is all about. 

Preparation…and… Wonder.

Frantic, formidable….

Majestic Wonder.

He stands among us. Do we know him?

Do we know him?

~~~~~

God Bless you in your Advent preparations.
May our Lord touch your heart and soul.
May you carry Him there.

Pax Christi,
~Michelle

Linked with:

Graceful: Hear It on Sunday, Use It on Monday