Advent Of Hope

My Thanksgiving story and the promise of hope.

I traveled to Seattle to spend Thanksgiving with my son, my daughter-in-law, my grandson, my granddaughter, their family and a couple of their friends.

The Sunday after Thanksgiving, I wanted to attend 8:00 a.m. Mass at St. James Cathedral downtown. It was the First Sunday of Advent. No one would be going with me, so I planned to take a bus. Amid protests, I reassured my son and daughter-in-law that I had studied the bus routes and felt confident that I would have no trouble.

I got on the bus, transferred to another bus and was let off two blocks from the Cathedral. I arrived a few minutes before Mass. The Mass was beautiful and moving. I prayed for my blessed little Seattle family.

After Mass, I was to catch a bus a few blocks from the Cathedral, but I decided to walk around downtown a bit before heading back. I walked and walked. It was chilly and raining lightly. I took several pictures with my phone. I found myself on Broadway, so I headed in the direction of their house.

Finally, I started looking for a bus stop. I quickly found a stop for the bus I needed to catch. There were three bus numbers on the sign at this stop. One bus came, then another. My bus will be next, I thought, but then there was a repeat bus and another. When the next bus stopped, I stuck my head in the open doors and asked about my bus. The bus driver informed me that my bus wasn’t running today due to the Seattle Marathon. He closed the doors and left.

I remember my daughter-in-law mentioning the marathon in her concerns over my taking the bus. I hadn’t payed good attention, but now I wished I had. I was stunned. I suddenly felt lost.

I hated to call them. I didn’t want to admit failure. I looked at my phone, it had only 10% battery left. My heart started racing. I had to call before it was too late. I panicked. I got confused. I kept messing up trying to make a call. It seems I forgot how to use my phone and I worried it might go dead any minute. I put the phone away. I walked some more. I saw a trolley and got on. Soon the trolley came to the end of line. I got off and wandered around.

The phone rang. It was my daughter-in-law. When I heard her voice, instead of feeling relieved, I started to cry. I was choked up and could barely talk. She told me to look around and tell her where I was. I did. She asked if there was a coffee shop nearby. I turned around. I was standing in front of a Starbucks. She told me to go inside, get a cup of coffee and wait.

“And you shall be secure, because there is hope…”  Job 11:18

I went inside. I was still crying a little as I ordered a latte and a cranberry orange scone. I took it to a small table. I sat facing the window, feeling foolish and sad. I prayed, “Jesus why did you let this happen to me? I trust in You!” Jesus answered immediately, “What’s wrong? Nothing! You're fine. You’re warm. You’re out of the rain. You’re safe and secure. Someone is coming to get you. What more can I do for you?”

I instantly remembered that Jesus never leaves me. Jesus never forgets me. I apologized to Him. I called him my sweet Jesus as I thanked him over and over. I was mindful that not everyone can afford this expensive coffee and pastry. It’s a luxury. Yet, here I was feeling sorry for myself in a city where many cold, homeless and hungry people live. Yet, these people may have more warmth in their hearts and enjoy the light of Christ more than I do. How spoiled I am. I understood that no matter what happens to me, I’ll be okay with Jesus my hope.

“Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Now I’m back home in Indiana, back at my parish church, listening to Father’s Advent homilies at Mass every day.

“For whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4

And today, the Second Sunday of Advent, these thoughts came to me. What does my Christmas wish list look like? What am I hoping for? As a Christian, what should I be hoping for? Number one on the wish list, Christ in my life. And if I already have Christ in my life, then my number one wish is to get closer to Jesus, to love and trust Jesus more and more each day. With great joy, I tell you, YES! I have Christ, and YES I desire to get closer and closer to Jesus every day, and to love and trust Him more and more as time goes on.

“…reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:12-13

What were the Jews hoping for before the birth of Our Lord? We know they were waiting and hoping for the Messiah to come to them. For us in this generation and many generations past, Jesus, the Messiah, has already come. How blessed are we! We were born and baptized into life in Christ. We don’t have to wait for a Savior. Our Savior is with us now. Through great joy and sorrow, He gives us hope.

Our future is in Jesus Christ!

“There are difficult moments in life but with faith the soul goes forward and looks ahead to what awaits us.” Pope Francis

Because of the Incarnation, we have the Advent of Hope. What do I mean by this? Jesus came into the world. He became one of us whilst not lessening His Divinity. Jesus gives Himself to us body, blood, soul and Divinity. Jesus came to save us from sin and death that we may have the promise of eternal life. Because of the promises of Chris,t we have hope. Jesus gives us the opportunity to receive the greatest treasure we could ever hope for; the greatest treasure our soul yearns for; our wants, needs and desires can be fulfilled. Nothing in this life can disappoint us if we possess the knowledge and truth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and have faith and trust in Him.

“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Luke 12:31

Does this mean that no one is waiting for Christ? For Christians who know Christ, there’s no waiting. What does this mean for me? Every day is glorious knowing that God lives with me and in me. In Christ, I am complete, my life is fulfilled. This means I no longer need a wish list. I have everything I need.

"Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die." John 11:26

Again, does this mean no one is waiting for Christ? No, many are waiting, but may not know what or who they’re waiting for. Either they haven’t yet found Christ, or haven’t invited Christ into their lives. As we are grateful for having Jesus in our lives; as we experience the joy of knowing Our Blessed Lord; as we accept that Jesus wants us to be with him for all eternity; and as we strive to achieve this heavenly goal by doing the will of God, let us remember to pray for all who are still waiting, waiting, waiting for the Messiah. Pray that those who have no hope, for those who believe there is nothing to hope for, pray that they too may receive comfort,as they discover the promise of Hope in Jesus!

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing… For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:1-2, 5