I will continue our series on reconciliation after Advent. It got interrupted by my travels to Texas for Thanksgiving, but it was well received and got us thinking. I found of interest as the verdict in Ferguson drew national attention that the word “reconciliation” was thrown around a lot. But it is Advent and it is too important to surplant.
Advent begins a new season and a new stage in our faith journey. I hope you all have spent a little time in preparation for this journey, unlike my last minute throwing clothes in the suitcase travels to Texas for Thanksgiving.
A good beginning for Advent is to begin with the fundamental question — Who am I? Our answer usually starts with age, health, job or work status, etc. We define ourselves by our biology, our work, our finances, and our relationships. But perhaps we need an adjustment in the way we think. Let’s begin like the stories about the first Christmas — let’s begin with our birth and realize that we share something in common with all humans on earth. We are all persons and creations of God. We share this aspect of beginning not only with humans, but with all living creatures, plants, and the earth, sky, and sea. When we start with that perspective, we understand better how as we treasure life and our existence, how we are called to treasure our fellow humans and all of the other creations as well.
We are all different and yet we all share a commonality. It is so easy to focus on our differences, but as Advent begins so too should we begin in our new faith journey to think differently this year. Let’s begin the year concentrating on our common heritage and resist the temptation to focus on our differences.
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