Wondering, watching and welcoming

November 16, 2003 -- 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Bishop Robert Morneau

	Bishop Robert Morneau
	Questions for reflection: 1. How do we remain vigilant at all times? 2. How can we tell when the Lord is near? 3. Why do we find watching and waiting so difficult?

There are three big "W's" on our pilgrim journey: wonder, watching, welcome. As we approach the end of the Church year and hear scriptural passages that deal with end time, we might examine the intensity of our wondering, our watching, and our welcoming.

Wonder! Children have a sense of wonder and awe. When they see the stars or experience the gift of a new puppy or approach Christmas gifts under the tree, their eyes give them away. They are taken by things and are unable, as some of us crass adults, to take things for granted. Wonder, that ability to be amazed, gives access to the world of beauty and grace.

Jesus' sense of wonder permeates the Gospel pages. In Mark's passage for this Sunday we hear Jesus speak about the sun and moon, stars and fig trees, the wind and the sky - all used to instruct us about the end time. But Jesus had a deeper experience of wonder, the presence of his Father in his life. The power and glory of the Father would be manifest in his life and in his second coming. All of us must pray for a similar sense of wonder and reverence.

Watching! What is it or who is it that we watch for? At World Youth Day in Toronto the throng watches for the arrival of Pope John Paul II. During time of drought, the farmer watches for rain clouds. Those who suffer from depression watch for the light and love that brings them relief from the darkness.

But there is another, deeper watching for the appearance of Jesus who will come in the clouds when this world ends. But that watching is not limited to the end of the world. We are called to watch the coming of our Lord today. Jesus comes in word and sacrament, in community and our neighbor, in the beauty of nature and truth of Gospel. Jesus, the manifestation of the living God, is not far away. If we are vigilant, he may be seen on a regular basis.

Welcome! One of the greatest experiences in life is to receive the hospitality of others. We know immediately whether or not we are welcome into another person's life. And when we are, that sense of belonging brings deep peace and joy. Christian discipleship is marked by gracious hospitality. For the follower of Jesus, there are no strangers, no aliens, no foreigners.

The burning question is whether or not we have opened our minds and hearts to Jesus, both individually and as a community. What Jesus said to Zacchaeus he also says to us: "Today I mean to stay in your house." Do we have our welcome waiting? Are we willing to let our lives be radically changed by the presence of this Divine Guest?

In the psalm response we sing: "You are my inheritance, O Lord." When Jesus comes he does not come only to judge and to separate the sheep from the goats, he also comes to continue to give himself to us. Jesus himself is our inheritance. The question is whether or not there is room in our lives for his indwelling.

There is one more "W" that is part of our journey. It is the "W" of "Why." Why wonder, why watch, why welcome? In the Alleluia acclamation we receive our answer: "Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man." To the extent that we are watchful, welcoming and filled with awe and wonder, to that extent will we experience the love and mercy of God revealed in Jesus who is coming into our lives today.

(Bp. Morneau is the auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay.)