Day 1: Go in Haste

Christmas is on its way.

Jesus is on his way.

Those two statements may have conjured up different images in your mind’s eye. Did evergreen and twinkly lights cross your mind with the first statement? For me it did. I think far too often, with the thought of Christmas, I indulge my mind with cozy cups of hot cocoa, trees laden with tinsel, and all the “holiday cheer.”

When I think about Mary when she learned that Jesus was coming into the world as her son, there are no decorations or treats. Instead, there is an abundant love and clear connection with God’s will for our lives. Mary’s example helped me strip away the tinsel and other distractions, and think about Jesus and what we are called to do in knowing that he is on his way.

After saying yes to being the Mother of God, “Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah.” Lk 1:39. 

If I were Mary, I would be sitting and obsessing over learning that I was to bear the son of God. Mary, instead, immediately goes outwards to tend to her cousin. She trusts in God and in her abilities, knowing that her cousin was in need and she could be of assistance.

So, instead of putting presents under the tree, Mary brings the gift of God, and the gifts God has bestowed on her to others. As Pope Francis once said, “Now is the time to arise! Like Mary, let us ‘arise and go in haste’. Let us carry Jesus within our hearts, and bring him to all those whom we meet!”

So, let’s not ease into Advent; rather, let us go in haste in trusting God’s direction in our lives and the charisms He has entrusted to us. 

How can you better carry Jesus within your heart this Advent? 

Franciscan Mission Service taught me that we are not going to be perfect, like Mary was perfect, in the way we go outwards to others, particularly in service. There were many times in my service year where I made mistakes and thought I could have handled interactions better, but that doesn’t mean I should no longer show up for others. When we know Christ is with us, what else are we called to do but tend to the needs of those who need to know that He is with them, too? It’s with the joy of Christ that we should carry with us in each opportunity to serve others.

MJ Park and Emily Dold

This season, I believe God is calling me to community, something Franciscan Mission Service showed me to be vital to our wellbeing and connection with God within us. There is a wonderful web of people I have come to know and love through FMS and my service site, The Father McKenna Center. When I spend time with a person in this web, I am reminded of God’s goodness. I see members of this community live out the gifts that God has given to them. For example, MJ & Jerry Park of Little Friends for Peace — partners of both Franciscan Mission Service and The Father McKenna Center — were recently named Peacemakers of the Year by Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore. In celebrating their award, I learned more about how they go in haste to spread peace at every opportunity, not shying away from the unknown or stranger, but knowing that God has placed the call for peace and non-violence on their hearts and that they are to follow this call. I am so grateful for their example.

A sunflower blooms at Emily’s parish, St. Augustine

After I moved on from The Father McKenna Center after four years, I not only got a new job, but I eventually moved to a new neighborhood. I think I have been hearing God ask me to go out of my comfort zone (just a bit!) and work to connect better with my new communities — such as with my new parish — but I have ignored this call. By God’s grace, I recently had an “excuse” to talk with my pastor and finally introduce myself when I had a question that needed an answer. While I do think good will come of this initial introduction, I also have regret in not introducing myself earlier and simply asking, “How can I help?” I did not have the haste and trust in God that Mary had.

This Christmas, I hope to decorate with a trust in God and more conversations with my community members. May we all grow in a trust like Mary’s, which compels us to connect with and serve our communities without delay. May we speak up, ask questions, and act in accordance to His will. There is no time to wait! Christ is on the way.

P.S. You may be wondering what my pastors response was to “How can I help?” His response focused on how can I be more involved in my spiritual life, making sure I had a way to be involved within a Church community. How we can always help, is better preparing our hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus. 

Questions for Reflection: What has God been asking you to do with the gifts he has given you? Where has he been asking you to go to meet him?