Moving Towards God

A Reflection on this Friday’s Gospel of Luke 21:29-33 – 29 November 2024

     As you are reading this reflection, Black Friday is assuredly in full swing or has fully swung. I can’t help but cringe. I envision gobs of shoppers grasping in a feverish pursuit of that one great deal. Who hasn’t seen, or worse experienced, the press of the crowd as store doors are unlocked and the crowd surges forward. This consumeristic surge is a place where,

“Life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others … God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.” (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium 2)

     It is a “moving,” but in the wrong direction. Don’t get me wrong. I have a daughter that owns two small retail boutiques, and I know how very important the Christmas season is for the survival of her livelihood and the livelihood of her small group of employees.

     I also have nothing against the joy of gift-giving. I am not a great shopper, but I do enjoy seeking that one special something and later witness the delight on the face of a loved one or special friend as they open something they will treasure. This process too, can begin on Black Friday.

     More important than any Black Friday, we are about to enter the season of Advent. It is a season in which the Church reminds us that we are moving towards something much greater than gift giving. St John records that Jesus, the Word, is both, “with God,” and at the same time, “is God” (John 1:1). The Greek phrase “pros ton Theon” (πρὸς τὸν θεόν) for, “was with God,” means a little more than just, “with.” It implies motion, an unceasing moving towards God. God the Son in love moves constantly towards the Father. That Trinitarian all-encompassing love is His destination.

     Through the generous gift of the Father’s mercy in the incarnation and the Son’s gift of reconciliation through His life-giving death on the cross, we too are a people invited to “move toward” God. Michael Casey in his book the Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer reminds us that,

In following Jesus, we are shown the way that leads toward the Father. Our life is not aimless; it has a destination. We have not been left to wander in the desert; the Shepherd has come to seek what is lost and bring us home.

     Jesus reminds us in the Gospel today that in our moving towards God, we need to notice the changing of the seasons. This world is journeying toward its end. For the faithful, a new heaven and earth await in which we are infused with the love of God which draws every human being to its source.

     Everyone is made for God, whether they know and accept it or not. Our yearning for an intimate love will always be incomplete until we arrive in God. It is a moving “towards.” Why? Because God has made us and drawn us to Him and our heart cannot rest until it rests in Him. (St. Augustin Confessions 1.1)

     This “moving toward God” should elicit constant hope and expectation even amid adversity. The coming season of Advent is a reminder to remain vigilant and faithful in all the hubbub of the world, as we await the return of Christ. It is a season to reflect on the signs of God's presence in our lives and to remain steadfast in prayer and action. We are part of a much larger story, infused with God's promise and faithfulness. In this, the people of Christ must prepare to give the greatest gift to those they love, the Gospel.

     Today, as the world celebrates Black Friday, we recall that we are a people set apart for lofty use (2 Timothy 2:21). In this we are called according to God’s purpose to celebrate God’s greatest gift of Himself in the incarnation for our salvation. Jesus has shown and is showing us the way that leads toward the Father. Our life is not aimless; it has a destination. Rejoice!

     We are called to be a people in motion toward God. Enjoy this season of preparation and take it seriously. In moving toward God, no matter how far, our destination is ever nearer, salvation is at hand. Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. (Mark 13:33 NABRE)

Endnotes:

Casey Michael. Toward God: The Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer. Liguori Publications. Kindle Edition.

Francis. Evangelii Gaudium. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013. Print. Apostolic Exhortation.

Saint Augustin. The Confessions, Part I. Ed. John E. Rotelle. Trans. Maria Boulding. Second Edition. Vol. 1. Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 2012. Print. The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century.