Prepare the Way!

“A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes... and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Waiting is never easy. The key, as Bonhoeffer suggests, is to wait with hope. This Advent begins with a new chapter in the history of the English-speaking church as we install the New Roman Missal. Mass went not too badly tonight, with the odd glitch of some folks standing and others kneeling here and there. Breaking the habit of saying, And also with you will take some time. Last night due to the priest preparing that particular parish went a whole lot smoother than tonight’s celebration. We have some catch up to do.

The sermon was good though. We are not a patient society and waiting is a chore for us. We do not save up money and then buy that big screen TV; instead we put it on credit. We do not wait patiently in traffic. We start honking the horn or flipping the bird. We want everything quickly and extravagantly so we cannot relinquish control to God who already has an agenda for us if we could wait simply, patiently, and hope-filled.

Tonight for the processional, we sang, Prepare the Way, from Godspell. Prepare my heart and spirit these next few weeks, Jesus, to live out the words from the Mass: As we wait in joyful hope, for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. God give me the grace to wait with hope and joy this Advent. May I be completely dependent on You this Advent to open the door to Freedom from the outside.

Peace,

Suzanne