Advent Reflections
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2022
By Br. George Rumley, O.S.B., Campus Minister
If Jesus, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, is the long-awaited Teacher, he seems to have an odd way of teaching. The first instruction he gives to his disciples in the Gospel is to ask God (“the master of the harvest”) to send out laborers. But as the context makes clear, they themselves are the laborers, even if perhaps they may desire helpers in the future. The question is: why ask God to send us on a mission if he is already about to do so?
In our zeal, we sometimes rush off to serve God and others without being receptive to the way in which God wants to send us. Advent offers numerous chances to reflect on those who were sent to accomplish great things—Gabriel, John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph, the Magi, the disciples, and even Christ himself—but sought out their mission on God’s terms. Turning their attention to God and presenting themselves to His guidance paved the way for total receptivity on their part. More important than the specifics of their tasks were the dispositions of their hearts vis-à-vis the Lord, the only One who could properly orient their zeal, compassion, and good will. These days, we are tempted to develop a mission statement, set up a dozen committees, and wonder how the budget will come together before we have even prayed.
Let us then ask God to send us and wait on His Word. Or would we rather send ourselves—on our own terms?