Both the wife of Manoah and Elizabeth have the same problem. They are barren. And for Elizabeth, she like Sarah, the wife of Abraham was in “advanced years.” Mary, was the opposite. She was very young, 13-15 years and still a virgin. In each of these cases, God would intercede and bring new life.
Each child to be born would have a special role in God’s plan of salvation history. Isaac would be the beginning of the fulfillment of the promise of God to Abraham that of his offspring he would make a great nation. Sampson, the son of Manoah and his wife would be one of the judges of God’s chosen people. John the Baptist, the son of Zachariah and Elizabeth would be the last in the line of the prophets and according to Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary,: “I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11).
In each situation, God brought new life where it seemed impossible and further implemented his plan to restore and bring humanity back into communion with him.
The Season of Advent is a time of anticipation and hope. We are preparing and waiting, watching and praying, for the coming of Jesus at the end of time, we are preparing to remember again and celebrate his first coming, all the while our day to day lives continue. We seek his presence in the here and now.
Our readings today and all of Scripture invite us to strike a healthy balance in our lives as we seek to encounter Jesus in our lives. When all is going well and we are experiencing times of consolation, we are to be humble and thankful. We are to offer God thanks for our blessings, knowing all that we have comes from him. In our humility, we are also to look ahead while we feel the closeness of God for those times when all will not be going well and life gets bumpy.
We are to prepare as Joseph, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah did. He stored up the surplus of grain for the time of famine that would come and so saved his people from starvation.
When we experience trials and tribulations, when we do not feel God close, when we slip into times of desolation, it is then we are to trust that God has not abandoned us but remains with us. We are also to trust that he also may be allowing these challenges to bring about a greater good, to strengthen us, and our trust in him. He will also provide what we need, empower, and lead us, even when all seems lost.
As we walk together through these final two weeks of Advent, may we open our hearts and minds to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and follow his lead and pursue a healthy balance of humility and thanksgiving when all is going well and trusting in times of challenge. May we continue to recognize that we are blessed and loved by God and his presence in our lives.
Let us be assured and confident that no matter what challenges or trials may lie in wait before us, those on our radar as well as those surprises that may arise, that we will face them with our loving God and Father at our side. Let us also know beyond any and all doubt, that as with those who have gone before us, we also have a part to play in God’s plan of salvation history and with him, all things are possible.
Photo: Sun shining brightly again Sunday! Even when the sun is blocked by the clouds as we experienced this past Thursday to Saturday, it is still there. It is the same with God. Trust he is present even when we may not be experiencing him.
Spiritual Stepping Stones 