Advent Daily Reflections Header

 

 




Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent

Today's Lectionary Readings
[link removed]

How might you have walked with them in their time of barrenness?

I wrote a whole reflection before this one.  I even threw in a
few jokes and was pretty proud of it. However, every time I went back
to edit it, I kept coming back to this one question I threw in near
the end:

"How might you have walked with Elizabeth and Zechariah in their
time of barrenness?"

Often in social service we feel like we exist to solve problems. 
We work to end hunger, build housing and advocate for those in
need.  But we don't always reflect on the lives and
struggles of our clients before they reached out for help.

Elizabeth and Zechariah lived many years together, long before the
Gospel of Luke starts their story. It's easy to jump in and see
the hope brought with Gabriel's announcement but forget the
years of loneliness they must have experienced.

Following the Annunciation and Visitation, we hear of
Elizabeth's neighbors and relatives rejoicing with her at
John's birth.  Were they also there during her
solitude?  Did they listen as her heart broke for every year she
was without child?  Who was there to support them during their
infertility?

We are surrounded by individuals experiencing barrenness.  It
could be an absent parent or a forced departure from a homeland. 
There is an immense emptiness caused by chronic mental health
challenges.  As we serve others, we hear may the same words of
Zechariah, "how can I know things will get better?" 
Before running in to solve the problem, try pausing to listen and
support those we are serving.

Ask yourself each day, "How might I walk with those around me in
their time of barrenness?

Devyn Buschow is the Parish Relations Program Manager at Catholic
Charities Dallas.




View this message in your browser. 
[link removed]

Forward this message.
Update your email preferences.
[link removed]
[link removed]