Here we are in the midst of all the pre-Christmas parties, in the middle of cold weather and snow, in the midst of Advent and we read from the letter of James: “Be patient like the farmer who waits for his precious crops. Strengthen your hearts for the coming of the Lord.” For many of us this may seem like it is much easier said than done. Many of us are frantically attempting to be patient with the family and community. Here I am supposed to be living in peace and expectation, but life seems upside down and inside out. Like John the Baptist in today’s gospel we are asking “Are You the one to come?” I need some assurance that it is You Lord. Hopefully You have not forgotten me, or just maybe I have not forgotten You, in the midst of the frantic running around?
Waiting is not an easy task. It demands courage and strength. What am I waiting for? Do I really listen? Do I really see? Do I really hear?
I had a dear friend Sadie whom I met when she was a patient, and I was a chaplain. She suffered greatly from her common law partner who would not allow her to go to the doctor. When I met Sadie, she was blind and lost her nose to cancer all because of neglect. She was a patient at St. Joseph’s hospital for more than a year. Needless to say, she was a great teacher for me. In the world’s view she was an unfortunate soul who had nothing. One day I was reflecting with her and asked her when were her happiest days? Her response was amazing! It was this present year that she spent in the hospital. You see, she had people who cared for her. Her birthday and Christmas were wonderful! She had presents coming out the door of her room. Before this she had never celebrated her birthday or Christmas! This year she had friends; she felt loved and was secure and free from harm!
“in their simpleness they witness truth to us”
As I reflect on my dear friend and her life I wonder if sometimes the moments that we feel most empty can be the seeds of hope. After all, the seeds put into the earth bear much fruit. Today I am asking myself to hold onto the Sadies of our lives because in their simpleness they witness truth to us. John the Baptist witnessed to the Truth, yet he needed encouragement along the way. From my prayerful reflections on the readings of today I believe if we give love freely our faith will remain secure in the Lord.
Sadie was a teacher without knowing it, pointing the way to Jesus. Look for the teachers who show the way to the Lord even when they do not have a great education; even if they do not recognize it, they are leaders!
Finally from Oscar Romero: “There are many things that can only be seen through the eyes that have cried!” From Sadie, I believe she would be encouraging us “to let these tears water our hearts to see more clearly through the eyes of faith!”
From Sadie: Merry Christmas to all!
-Sister Kathleen O’Neill, CSJ