Monthly Archives: November 2016

Today, as we start another church year on this first Sunday of Advent, we “begin again” our life-long journey with God.

In today’s Old Testament reading (Isaiah 2:1-5) the prophet characterizes our journey as “climbing the Lord’s mountain”.  In a similar vein the psalmist tells us that we travel “up to the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122).  And we know that ascending a mountain is not always easy. In fact the mountain journey can be down-right treacherous.  The path can be steep and laden with obstacles.  But even so, as we climb our mountain we can take in the beauty that surrounds us, and reflect on how all that is good and beautiful comes from God.  As we climb we sometimes need to navigate through some rough terrain – temptations, distractions, struggles, and anxieties – all of which tend to pull our focus away from God and the path he has set before us.  As daylight fades matters might become even worse – in the darkness we may stray from the mountain path and lose our way.  At times our journey presents seemingly insurmountable difficulties.  Sometimes we are left wondering how we might ever finish the journey or how we can even keep on climbing.

We find our answer in today’s second reading (Roman’s 13:11-14).  Saint Paul tells us to “put on” Jesus, our “armor of light”.  And this is what we do. This is what we recommit ourselves to once more as we begin again this Advent.  We “put on” Jesus.  We listen to his Word and allow it to penetrate our minds and hearts. We embrace his “Way” – the example he set for us – and strive to make it our own. With open hearts and minds, we allow his Spirit to enter us – to fill us up – giving us strength for our journey.

We place our trust in Jesus and look for his guidance and protection as we climb God’s mountain. With each step we take we ask Jesus to help keep us steady so as not to lose our balance. We ask Jesus to provide light in the darkness so that together we can navigate the way – his way.  When our steps move us forward, we thank him.  When we stumble we ask him to help us pick ourselves so that we might begin again…and again.

And Jesus will never let us down.  Out of his great love for us he gives us the wisdom, the guidance, the inspiration, and the strength that we need for our journey.  And of course we best honor and thank him by extending that same love to others in order to assist our brothers and sisters on their own journey.

So we all go forward. With Jesus ever-present at our side, we continue this journey together with great hope in what is to come.