Be surprised! We all like a good surprise, one that gives us unexpected positive energy and deeper appreciation for those who surprise us. Perhaps you’ve had a surprise birthday party or anniversary party. Perhaps a relative or friend has surprised you with an unexpected visit. Really good surprises from life and the combination of life’s events can vault us in new directions and open us up to the basic goodness of people and life. We can derive such joy in even the smallest surprise. Such things can remind us that unexpected news and events are sometimes beyond our control. Some surprises can be negative or tragic, but let’s reflect on those some other time.
Our urging Advent statement this week, to Be Surprised, complements the previous three from the Advent scriptures – Be Alert, Be Filled and Be Satisfied.
The message from Micah in our first reading contains a great surprise. He foretells that from a surprisingly small place shall come greatness. From tiny Bethlehem shall come a woman who will give birth to Israel’s ruler, also called a shepherd…and peace.
This message will help us to be surprised by the coming of God into human life in a most unexpected way, an innocent newborn child. Yes, God can be a baby!
In preparation for this miracle, let us be attentive to the womanly story of Mary’s visit to her older, pregnant cousin Elizabeth. Mary travels in haste. Many surprises in life are surrounded by haste and unplanned travel or details. Her visit to Elizabeth is a surprise. Elizabeth did not expect her younger cousin to come to her home.
The visit elicits blessedness which calls for a proclamation. Elizabeth cries out and announces three sources of blessedness associated with this surprise visit.
The first is a blessedness that distinguishes Mary from other women: “Blessed are you among women,” Elizabeth proclaims. Can you be surprised with what distinguishes you from any other human being who has ever been born? Can you revel in the uniqueness with which God has created you? Can you be surprised by Elizabeth saying directly to you, “Blessed are you among all people?”
The second source of blessedness is the fruit of Mary’s womb. Her offspring will bear fruit in the faith part of our one world in a way that no one ever has. Can you see and find blessedness in the fruit that you have brought into the world? What unique and fruitful contributions have you made in life? To your friends and family? To the world?
Thirdly, Elizabeth is a bearer of blessedness by affirming Mary’s trust. She affirms that Mary is blessed because she trusted that the angel’s words to her were authentic, unbelievably important and what humanity would need for the rest of time.
An extension of this third form of blessedness that Elizabeth announces to us is that these words from the angel would be fulfilled. Fulfillment is important to us Christians, and particularly to us Catholic Christians. We believe that Jesus Christ has fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy and that he is the “new and eternal covenant.” These words are prayed at each and every Mass and, on a regular basis, remind us of the blessedness of the covenant that God has made with all of us. Then, we as Catholics, can hold and receive that covenant as we briefly hold and drink from – thus receiving – that same covenant that God made with all of humanity years ago and then fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
This is a real and concrete ritual for each and every one of us to fulfill the dream that God has for us. It reminds us that God’s fulfillment takes some work on our part, as well to develop what God has given us, which many times comes to us in surprising ways.
Find blessedness in the SURPRISE this week as Advent turns to Christmas. Look for the blessedness in your life and once again come to the Eucharist with gratitude that the source of that blessedness is God through Jesus Christ, and that blessedness can be realized as the community gathers to celebrate that blessedness.
Please invite your loved ones and friends to join us for Mass this Christmas and beyond. Please consider putting into action the fact that YOU are the Body of Christ, and YOU are the church by ministering as a Greeter, Eucharistic Minister, Usher, Proclaimer, Table and Light server or other Liturgical Minister for a Mass on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Please put into action the welcoming spirit of Holy Family by being a Greeter for the thousands of visitors that will come to celebrate Christmas with us. Be THE BODY OF CHRIST and serve at one of the most important times of the year.
On Sunday, January 27 at 4:00pm, a 15 year dream of mine will become a reality as we host the first (of many to come) Mass of Rock! A Rock N’ Roll Mass. Gene Garcia shares my vision for this, and our choir and musicians are talented enough to make Rock N’ Roll music that celebrates our faith. More details to follow. Spread the word!