3rd Sunday Advent – On the Road to Bethlehem…

What stands out to me from the third Sunday of Advent today is how much I need the witness of John the Witness to the Light.  As I learn to receive his witness and let in the Light, perhaps I can witness myself to the Light more authentically.

St. Augustine’s reflection uncovers this mystery of discipleship for us:

Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you!  You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you.

In my un-loveliness I plunged into the lovely things that you created. You were with me, but I was not with you.  Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all.

You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness.  You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness.  You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I long for you.

I’m coming to believe more and more that Bethlehem lies in that very place I have abandoned… in which I have been abandoned.

We have 2 ½ days of Advent left. Perhaps we can discover where we are on our walk toward Bethlehem.  And, there’s the rest of our lives (!)

Happy Advent! –roc,sj