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Waiting with Jesus
Monday, December 8, 2014
Second Week of Advent
Luke 1:30-38
The angel Gabriel spoke to her. “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus … nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Hail Mary, full of grace. Blessed art thou among women. And blessed is the fruit of thy womb: Jesus.
A woman I know is burying her husband today. She gave herself to her family for 50 years. She is full of grace, and blessed.
Another woman is having a baby today. Her cries of pain give way to the baby’s cries, and she listens in joyful silence, exhausted and happy.
Mary carried her child for nine months as he grew into baby Jesus. Every mother knows the emotional rigors of this time. We can all watch and learn the art of waiting from mothers, which makes Advent, the season of waiting, richer.
Tertullian, a second century Christian teacher, also imagined Jesus, waiting in the womb. He waited patiently for his own birth. Then as a child, he patiently endured the delay of waiting for adulthood. As an adult, he patiently endured all who wanted to share in his company, and patiently endured all who wanted no part of him. All of his earthly life, Jesus waited patiently.
Pray for us sinners (insert name and the names of others), now. And pray for us at the hour of our death.
In between – so much life, often marked by waiting. First his mother, and then Jesus show us how.
You waited with your mother, just as she waited with you, for the moment of your birth, Jesus. On these quiet, long evenings, you wait with me too, while I wait for you. We are all together, aren’t we? One big family, loved and loved and loved by our Father.
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