“In the tender compassion of our
God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in
darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of
peace." – Lk 1: 78-79
Yesterday at Mass, the presider
asked if we are ready for Christ’s coming this Christmas. Immediately racing
through my mind was the list of unfinished things I needed to do, the many
“should's” that I needed to complete in order to be ready for God to come closer.
In this thinking, I was not ready to receive the Divine Guest because my house
(outer and internal states) was not in order. Yet, I did not give in to the
perfectionistic temptation that I had to have it “all together” in order to be
ready. Realizing that fulfilling all the “should’s” was secondary, I found
myself nodding ‘Yes Lord, come in, here I am …” A smile dawned on my lips and peace
like a gentle breeze flowed through.
For many of us, Christmas Eve is
often full of many activities. We feel outer or inner pressures to get things
done, including being happy, cheerful, joyful. In addition, we notice people we
find difficult knocking at our doors, hard feelings crowding in our hearts,
children clamoring for our attention. A hectic reality.
Yet, imagine another reality taking
place: The “tender compassion of our God” breaking upon us, shining through our
outer shadows and inner darkness, guiding “our feet into the way of peace.” As we stumble and fumble along our paths these
days, we find ourselves being lead somehow. We don’t know the journey well, yet
we are lead along the way. St. Ignatius Loyola discovered this. At the same
time he sought God, God was guiding him into the way of peace. A peace beneath
the hustle and bustle of life. An underling peace that sustains eruptions of
joy. A peace in trusting that we don’t have to make it happen, that God’s tender
mercy heals our dis-ease. Something wondrous is happening, just let it unfold …
Lord, help me trust
that you are already with me, whispering: “Peace. I am here!”
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