# Waiting for the Lord: Reflections on the First Week of Advent
*2019-12-02*

> Bill Young reflects on the beginning of the liturgical year, exploring the themes of hope, the intercession of the saints, and the importance of saying 'yes' to God's plan.

## Beginning the Journey of Advent

As we enter the first Sunday of Advent, we begin a new liturgical year. This is a new journey for the people of God, guided by Jesus Christ toward a kingdom of justice and peace. Just as we often need to begin again in our personal lives, Advent allows us to rediscover the common horizon toward which we are all traveling. This season restores our hope—a hope that does not disappoint because it is founded on the faithfulness of God's word.

The model for this spiritual journey is the Virgin Mary. A simple girl from the countryside, she carried the fullness of hope in her heart and allowed God's hope to take flesh in her womb. By looking to Mary, we can learn how to navigate this season of active waiting and watchfulness.

## Looking Backward to Move Forward

In reflecting on the first week of Advent, we are reminded by the prophet Isaiah to remember that God is doing something new. There is a profound connection between looking backward and looking forward. By meditating on Christ's first coming and the great deeds God performed in the past, we gain the confidence to anticipate His second coming and the fulfillment of His kingdom.

Waiting is a period of learning. The longer we wait, the more we hear about the beauty and splendor of the One who is to come. This process of reflection allows us to project our hope forward, using our memory of God's faithfulness as a foundation for our future expectations.

## The Power of Prayer and Intercession

Reflecting on my own life, I can see how God has been present through the prayers of others. I learned recently that when I was born prematurely in 1952 in Winnipeg, Canada, my mother prayed to Our Lady, St. Joseph, and St. Anthony for my survival during a difficult pregnancy. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for those prayers.

I experienced this again with the birth of my son, Gregory, in 1993. After a previous miscarriage, my wife was bedridden during her second pregnancy. We prayed the Rosary for over a week, and the bleeding stopped, leading to a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby boy. These experiences serve as a powerful reminder that prayers truly work and that God is always active in our lives.

## Responding to God's Knock

At the Annunciation, Mary responded to the angel's message not with a focus on privilege, but with a willingness to serve. She remained modest and expressed a sincere acceptance of the Lord's plan. Today, the mystery of Jesus' birth occurs as a spiritual event in our own lives. The Word who found a home in Mary's womb now knocks at the door of every Christian heart.

Too often, we are so immersed in our own thoughts, affairs, and even our Christmas preparations that we fail to notice Jesus knocking. We are called to respond like Mary, with a personal and sincere 'yes,' placing ourselves fully at the disposal of God's mercy and love.

*By looking back at God's faithfulness in our past, we can courageously say 'yes' to His presence and plan in our lives today.*