Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

Readings of the Day 

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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