O Lord, you are our Father; We are the clay, and you are our potter. Isaiah 64,8
Dear Parishioners,
A few days ago visiting the mall, listening to the Christmas |carols in the background ,and seeing all the decorations – I thought that Christmas had just arrived.. I asked myself, ‘where is the time of waiting and preparation for Christmas? Where is the time of Advent’?
We all love Christmas, even the people who are not Christians appreciate this special time of exchanging gifts, the peace and joy, the wonderful music and the festivities.
In the face of God we all are special and in a very privileged situation because we are receiving a extra time of preparation for Christmas. For four weeks we will follow the teaching of the prophets, and especially John the Baptist, who is crying in the wilderness: ‘Convert yourselves and make room for the Messiah in your hearts.’ Therefore, we want to open our ears more and more for the challenging words of the prophets and especially today for the words of the prophet Isaiah.
The prophet Isaiah talked about the expectation of the people of Israel who were in exile in Babylon. It was a time of vigilance and expectation and a permanent question:
‘Why do we have to keep vigil’? ‘God, why don’t you act and save us’? ‘When will you allow us to return to Jerusalem’? ‘How long O Lord do we have to be distressed’? ‘Why O God do you hide yourself’? ‘Why do you hide your face from us’?
I think, it was a more dramatic question than the question of Americans on Sep. 11th:
Where were you God when we needed you?
We must not be afraid – God is always with us!
He is our Father, our Creator.
Do you remember the words of Isaiah?
‘Oh Lord, you are our Father
We are the clay, and you are our potter:
We are all the work of your hand.’
Dear Sisters and Brothers – God is a cosmic force!
God is always in action. God is a Creator and He is creating at all times. He is always working, even now while you are listening to my words and He is shaping you and I – like clay. We must be simple and humble and ready to be shaped by the Creator!
I know, dear Parishioners, that the shaping process is sometimes painful and brutal because we are – sometimes – proud of our individuality and frequently we don’t like to be changed.
We think that we are the top model and, consequently, we don’t want to be clay – because clay is passive.
On the other hand, the shaping process should be very exciting and creative if we open ourselves to the action of God who is in us. God is working in us and we could say that we are clay in God’s hands. He is the Master and He is modelling us.
What kind of clay are you – soft and ready to be moulded or brittle and closed to God’s gifts?
Advent – a time of waiting and being alert and waiting for Someone Special is upon us…
Advent is leading you to Bethlehem where the Messiah will be born. Please find the Baby Jesus in the crib at Christmas.
We now have a time of vigil and preparation.
God bless all of you!
Fr. Piotr Machnacki, pastor.
