Reflecting on the Word

By Dr. Karla J. Bellinger

It was a football weekend at the University of Notre Dame.  Sacred Heart basilica was packed. People from all over streamed  forward in a straight line, holding open their hands—tender hands  with well-formed nails, broad hands accustomed to strength. A few  opened their mouths. All had straight white teeth. And I kept saying  it: “Body of Christ.” And they replied: “Amen.” “Body of Christ.”  “Amen.” “Body of Christ.” “Amen.” The multitudes streamed toward  the Lord.

Then I saw him in line. He didn’t fit among the well-dressed  crowd. Scraggly long hair. Shorts (in November?). Hiking boots.  Gray wool socks with red stripes. He might have walked in straight  from the Appalachian Trail. What was he doing here? He stopped  in front of me and opened his hands to receive the One who was  mightier than he. Eager for the One he so obviously loved, his eyes  gleamed with joy. 

I wondered, if John the Baptist were here among us, is this what  he would look like? Would he choose to deliberately unsettle the  status quo? Would he intend to show us how transitory this life is?  Would he want us to be cognizant that all earthly things will pass  away? That this glorious building, with these good-looking people  celebrating this famed football team—would John the Baptist rail at  us not to forget that all is nothing compared to the grandeur of the  One who comes to us at Christmas? In spite of our self-assurance  that we control the present, would he remind us that we are simple  Advent people—never secure in the now, always on a tenuous trek  to something more? Maybe he would. Maybe he should. 

I focused back on my task for those who flowed forward, offering  food for the journey: “Body of Christ.” “Amen.” “Body of Christ . . .” 

Consider/Discuss 

  • Unexpected events unsettle our surety. What has sharpened our focus,  made us realize that this earthly life is not sufficient, not all there is? Where  has God been in those moments? 
  • In this tenuous Advent of our lives, paths are not always straight, mountains  can seem high, valleys can feel abysmally low. How can we be like John the  Baptist for each other, helping to prepare the way for the Lord? 

Living and Praying with the Word 

Lord, with you, one day is like a thousand years and a thousand  years are like one day. Yet we can become so focused on what we are  doing right here and now that we lose sight of your bigger picture.  Sharpen our eyes to see your broader vision. You alone are enough.  Ready us to receive your forgiveness as we prepare for your coming,  eager to be found without spot or blemish. Come, Emmanuel, come  and be born in our hearts!

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