By Sr. Doreen, SSJD
Change your life. God’s kingdom is here… what counts is your life. It is green and blossoming or is it dead wood (Matthew 3:1-12) Message translation
John the Baptist came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in (John 1:6-8, 19-28) Message translation
These two scripture passages are a very surprising contract both centred around the figure of John the Baptists. Pondering these scripture readings led me to suggest to myself that an Advent opportunity on this highway to Christmas was to take a look at myself, and how well integrated my head (reason) and my heart (emotion) were in tune! Was my life one of enthusiasm, was a traveling a highway of enthusiasm?
Listening to the fiery preacher John the Baptist as described in Matthew, we note his strong message of “change your life, change your heart and not your garments’ themes, his comments that if we think his message is hard on us just wait until the One coming next (Jesus) arrives! In the passage from John he is portrayed as a calm and reasonable person while explaining that he is not the Messiah and refers the people to passages of scripture that indicate someone preparing the way, a voice crying in the wilderness.
John the Baptist is so much like most of us! He was not all an agitator or revolutionary, nor was he all logical and reasonable! He held together both aspects of his personality in such a way that it helped him be a witness, a voice. His own life made him to be considered an evangelist, a believer, and enthusiast. I would guess that if asked the question ‘do you think John the Baptist was enthusiastic about his ministry and mission’ we would probably answer ‘yes’.
Enthusiasm is a word whose real meaning is not understood well today. It comes from the root Greek word ‘enthousiasmos’ or ‘entheos’ – having the god within. I thought about the highway of enthusiasm and our need to have a delighted, enthusiastic, joyful inspiration, one inspired by God. It was this deep inspiration, this deep possession by God that motivated John the Baptist. I asked myself, is my own life and spirituality enthusiastically and joyfully inspired by God?
As we come to the fourth Advent highway … am I, are you, enthusiastic about your faith and your life’s journey into the heart of God? We may or may not be overly emotional and exuberant but I believe that enthusiasm is a mood and attitude, not merely a feeling – it is allowing God to possess us.
The highway of enthusiasm is an opportunity for a time of spiritual renewal, a time of coming with a deeper enthusiasm for serving God with my head, my heart, and my voice. It is a challenge to consider how we can be a witness to the light that is Jesus. I found myself asking what might be ways that are natural, gracious, and compassionate in my own faith witness.
“Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee; take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love; take my feet and let them be swift and purposeful for thee. Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee; take my intellect and use every power as thou shalt choose. Take my will and make it thine, it shall be no longer mine; take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne. Take my love, my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store; take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.” (text: Frances Ridley Havergal, Common Praise Hymn Book #435)
There is a deep and profound message in this highway of enthusiasm in our Advent journey. It holds up the neon sign – signs flashing and urgent – so needed, so longed for in our hearts, our communities, and our world: the persistence, the perseverance, the stepping up to the plate, the showing up – in the things we gladly spend our energy on, and in the depth of our commitments. Advent is a time to indeed turn on the neon sign “arise and shine for your light has come and the glory of God is upon you”.
To help us answer some of these challenges we might find these questions helpful:
* Which of the two Gospel scripture passages quoted in this reflection of John the Baptist connect best with you and why?
* What would John the Baptist likely say to you if you presented yourself to him for baptism?
* In what ways does the statement “enthusiasm is the warm place between hot, unfocused fanaticism and cold, unfeeling rationality” help you see enthusiasm as a quality worth seeking?
An Advent Hymn from Sing a New Creation Anglican Church of Canada to ponder:
#39 Stay Awake, Be Ready
Stay awake, be ready. You do not know the hour when the Lord is coming.
Stay awake, be ready. The Lord is coming soon!
Alleluia, alleluia! The Lord is coming soon.
Change your lives, he’s coming. The one who is the light of the world is coming.
Change your lives, he’s coming. The reign of God is near!
Alleluia, alleluia! The reign of God is near.
By the power of the Spirit May will give birth to a son called Jesus.
By the power of the Spirit Emmanuel is near.
Alleluia, alleluia! Emmanuel is near.