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December 17, 2016
At first glance, today’s readings may leave us wanting something else to reflect on. I know that was my first thought when I read them. But then I remembered when I studied the Old Testament and how God works through the most unlikely people sometimes. God works through the second born, not the first, through those who manipulate and scheme as well as those that walk the straight and narrow. I began to wonder if that is not some of the wisdom available to us when we reflect on the genealogy of Jesus. His family, like our own, has it’s characters and yet God found a way, actually chose, to be incarnated in spite of humanity’s imperfection.
As I continued to reflect on whether this was too much of a reach, I noticed the Gospel Acclamation and realized that we are beginning the time of reflection on the O Antiphons, the last seven days of Advent. Today “O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!” It struck me that the path of knowledge paired with power and love becomes not just a head knowledge of facts or dogmas but the heart knowledge of deep experiential, relational knowing. I hear and feel the longing and anticipation in this antiphon, the longing and anticipation of this season of Advent.
As I held both of these ideas, the imperfect family being the place God chose to become a part of and my own desire and waiting for deeper knowing, I felt invited to recognize my own imperfections, wounds and darkness. At the same time, I heard God say to me, “It’s ok, I can work with that.”
So as we enter this last week of waiting and longing and anticipation, I am reminded that we are all called to carry Christ. We are all invited into a deeper path of knowledge guided by power and love. And, if we are feeling a little worried or concerned that we are unworthy, remember Jesus’ family tree and hear God say “It’s ok, I can work with that.” Come, Lord Jesus, Come.