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Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

Readings of the Day 
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Recently, I entered my best friends' home for only the second time
since the onset of the pandemic. Sorrowful to not see them and their
children (whom I deeply love!), I am grateful they chose Catholic
Charities to walk alongside them through kinship placement, to
licensed foster family, and finally the adoption of their beloved
grandchildren. After years of incomprehensible distress and trauma,
2020 included their unprecedented virtual adoptions. Now this family
is decorating for Christmas and preparing for feasts of sugar cookies,
tamales, and hot cocoa with marshmallows. In their home, Isaiah
25:6-10A is palpable: "...on this mountain the LORD of
hosts will provide... a feast of rich food... he will
destroy death forever... wipe away the tears...". We
are a blessed part of a village among the most vulnerable to nurture
love, protection, provision, and healing. Advent is a season of
preparation and arrival. Together, we are a part of a network
preparing through outreach, licensing, equipping and supporting to
help the most vulnerable "rest on [our Father's]
mountain".

The adoptions within this family were neither easy nor quick. Our work
with refugee resettlement, outreach, shelters, housing and food
security, education, youth development, counseling, veteran services
and more has become increasingly wearisome. Vulnerabilities,
tragedies, losses, polarizations, marginalization, isolation and
burdens are increasing while resources appear to be contracting. This
Advent, may we hold fast to Psalm 23 and trust our shepherd provides
all our needs and invites us and those we serve to calm, restoring
waters. Interestingly, this psalm shifts from talking
"about" God to talk "to" God when in the
darkest valley. May we, rather than only talking about God, join him
as our friend and Father. He, like my friends, sets a beautiful,
welcoming table and invites us to dwell with him all the days of our
lives.

Finally, our Gospel reading describes all those brought to Jesus. I
imagine their likenesses among those we serve. Mark 15 shares that
Jesus was moved with compassion for the crowd after three days.
Certainly, nine months into this pandemic, he sees us and the children
and families we serve. He provides for us and for them. Like the
disciples, may we be resourceful, give thanks, break bread, and serve
the crowds - physically distanced for now, but one in spirit.
May this unique Advent season prepare and renew our hearts'
anticipation to welcome Emmanuel.

Malissa Geer serves as Sr. Director of Community, Faith and Volunteer
Engagement for Catholic Charities Community Services in the Diocese of
Phoenix. Her team focuses on securing volunteer, in-kind, and
partnership resources alongside parishes for their mission work to
serve the most vulnerable with solutions that permanently improve
lives. She enjoys community development, teaching, supporting dreams,
and loving God and people - especially her daughters Elliot (19)
and Aldyn (17).




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