My youngest and I watched both Sister Acts last night, and during the second one, we began to talk about angels. I was pretty impressed by the amount of knowledge she had of the imagery used to describe them in the Bible. The scriptures tell the seraphim to have six wings, and the root of the word implies they are the “burning ones.” Fiery messengers who are serving in the presence of God. Another set is the cherubim. The cherubim are far from the cuddly baby cupid we see in cartoons. Ezekiel describes them as having four faces, stiff legs with calves’ feet, four hands, and four wings. These are the beings who support the throne of God, and one with a flaming sword guards the pathway to the tree of life.
Why do I bring up angels? Well, imagine how you would have felt having met one of these powerful beings? The situation surrounding the birth of Christ was so intense, so socially different than what they expected that Joseph was trying to find a way out of it. He wanted to find a way to save Mary from the public shame that would come with their divorce, but at the same time, He felt betrayed and hurt.
I imagine Mary, too, might have felt some fear. A young virgin, married woman, who by custom should soon be moving in with her husband, was now pregnant, and Joseph knowing he was not the biological father seemed not to react well to the news. Both of them received an angel, and both of the angels said, “Do not be afraid.” Yes, to the plan but also God’s presence. Do not be afraid of the angel; do not be scared of the things to come, trust, and follow because God has something great in store for all of humanity.
I think that’s part of why so many of us seem to be scared of silence. We need music on in the background, a television talking away in the other room, constant information in our hands streaming podcasts, videos, memes, and conversations every second we are awake. My theory? It’s that overpowering, overwhelming sense of God’s presence that makes us uncomfortable with the silence. With beings like the angels around us, one of them guarding us, and God calling our true name; washing us with pure Love to let us know He is there, is there any wonder that those who do not spend much time with Him are overwhelmed, uncomfortable, maybe even afraid?
Advent is a time not only to get familiar with that voice but to draw closer to God. The very purpose of the season is to remind us that we are a temple of the living God, and to clean it up, to tidy up those places we’ve become complacent, and to “prepare” for Christ to be born again, more fully, to bloom into our lives.
Yesterday I received a letter from Bellarmine. I made a silent retreat there months ago before ordination. They had us write a letter to our future self. I had forgotten it. When I saw the envelope, I thought, “I wonder what this is.” Then I read it. I saw the things I knew I had to work on at the retreat and asked myself, “How are you doing with that?” When I’m honest, I made some changes, and other things I kind of just let slip my mind.
So that’s my Advent challenge to you today. God is telling you right now, “do not be afraid.” He wants you to live your life to the fullest. So sit down, and write a letter to yourself in the future. Put a date on it, and place it somewhere it will not get lost (or give it to someone and ask them to send/give it to you in a few months.) Maybe even make it an advent tradition. Figure out what you need to do to move toward Sainthood, to allow Jesus to be born more fully in your heart. Then next Advent, read your letter.
Because conversion is not just a single moment, but a lifetime of waking up and saying “good morning Jesus.” It’s choosing like Mary and Joseph to follow Him, even when it’s scary. To listen to that still small voice in the silence that says, “Do not be afraid.” Christmas is coming! Make straight the paths of the Lord, and prepare a room in the Inn of your heart.
A Homily for Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent: December 18th, 2020