Today’s readings speak about waiting patiently. Waiting is hard enough; doing it patiently, harder still.  Waiting presupposes an expectation, as we must be waiting for something.  Patience requires us to accept that we are not in control, but instead we must rely on others to bring about the expected event.  Patience does not necessarily entail resignation, as we may have had a role in preparation.  But at some point, we cannot do anything more.  We must wait in hope. 

When I was very young, my father told me the story about waiting for my birth. In those days, fathers did not participate in the birthing process.  They had to wait outside in a place called the “waiting room” – an apt name, indeed.  They could do nothing but wait, but I am sure prayers were offered there, too.  I am told that the doctor brought me out -- crying, pink, and naked – holding me upside down by the heels, showing my father that his son had arrived.  

During Advent, we followers of Christ are also being called to the waiting room – to the Church – to watch, to pray, and to wait in expectation.  We have received spiritual gifts of faith, hope, and charity, which allow us to look with expectation toward God for our redemption, a precious gift we possess, but we know has not yet been fully realized.

How do we possess this expectation?  We have not been left without witnesses. We have lived among some of them, who taught us our faith and showed us the way.  As today’s gospel reminds us, God sends messengers to prepare the way. We also read the prophets of old who testify to God’s promises.  As Isaiah writes, “Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you.”  (Yes, he comes to save you.  You matter to him.) 

When our Lord Jesus Christ became incarnate and entered into this world, people were watching and waiting for him and exceedingly glad to see him. Messengers prepared the way, not only for Mary and Joseph, but for shepherds, wise men, and many others to follow. When our Lord returns again – a subject we have been contemplating in the weeks preceding Advent -- we are instructed to watch and to be ready.  We must prepare ourselves for his coming or to meet him if we should die before he returns.  Contemplation of this reality helps awaken us from our slumber and apathy, our ignorance and selfishness, our complacency and dullness.  It quickens us.

Many in our world live without this expectation, without hope. Some believe but live with dread and fear.  But at each mass, we are verbally reminded of the blessed hope of the coming of our savior.  The Church continually presents the hope of his coming and his work of redemption as we go through the liturgical year.  He comes to save us, but He also comes with vindication and divine recompense.  Preparation – or lack thereof – will affect our disposition toward these expected future events, true realities that will come for everyone.

Lord, renew the hope that is within us.  Water our dryness.  Help us to cast off those things that might keep us from receiving You with joy, those things which blind and enslave us, and which keep us in fear. And bring us together in your Church during this Advent season, so that we may wait patiently together, strengthening and encouraging one another because you are coming to save us. Thanks be to God.