Advent summons us to regroup

First in an Advent series, based on the Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent, Lk 21:25-28,34-36.

My initial reaction to writing a gospel reflection based on the Advent readings was anticipation. After a few days I looked up the reading I was to reflect on and my excitement diminished a bit as I casually glanced over it. I was hoping to find a "fun" and "happy" piece of scripture to relate to our diocesan Summoned to Serve theme during this Advent season. Instead, my quick glance of the reading found references to dying in fright and living in anguish.

In our postmodern society we have often been taught to stay away from things that make others or ourselves uncomfortable, whether it's politics or social issues. Whether we are comfortable or not seems to be a central emphasis in our lives.

Unfortunately, in many cases, that has filtered down to religion where it's easy to witness situations where we pick and choose the easy parts of faith to highlight. We naturally tend to stay away from fire and brimstone references and stick with scripture that highlights faith, hope and love.

The danger of staying away from what makes us uncomfortable, such as dying in fright and living in anguish, is that we miss the challenges that are central to our Christian faith. When I took the time to read and re-read Lk 21:25-28,34-36, I found a truer understanding of the challenge Jesus is presenting us in the context of his response to the disciples' statement on the superficialities of the temple. He challenges us to be attentive within the midst of our secular concerns so we can pray and show our faith, especially when we are encountered with things that make us uncomfortable.

In this Advent season of renewal, through the celebration of the birth of Christ, we must embrace the paradoxical aspects of our faith, whether they motivate us or make us uncomfortable. Our new theme Summoned to Serve represents just such a paradox. It calls us to sacrifice our time and talents in a way that may seem uncomfortable at first glance. Upon a deeper reflection we find that being called to serve is actually an honor and the opposite occurs as we witness the positive transformative experience of serving.

In a few weeks, we will celebrate Jesus coming into our world as a true servant. Instead of initially appearing as a king, Jesus came to us as a servant. In doing so he challenges society to serve in his name. Advent allows us to regroup and start living our authentic faith that can often be lost throughout the year as we busily live our lives trying to avoid the uncomfortable. A great way to celebrate the Advent season is to understand that to be summoned is a sacred call and truly a gift.

Take some time and look at those around us in the community who are dying of fright or living in anguish and reflect on your role in being summoned to serve. In this Advent season, may we all be summoned to serve one another in the name of Christ.

(Wilmot is a budget counselor with FISC in Green Bay and he is a member of the coordinating committee for the diocesan theme, Summoned to Serve.)