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Every day is getting shorter. Sunlight, or any kind of light, is visible for less than 12 hours these days. We haven’t even reached the Winter Solstice yet, when our little piece of the world will be lit for a mere eight hours. We are plunged, not by choice but by force, into darkness. It is in this dark space place where we are asked to wait – wait for the birth of God.
Each year, we celebrate the Season of Advent during the darkest of times. I think you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who is not a little bit afraid of darkness. Even the bravest among us, given the right circumstances, will fear the dark. Because for most of us, darkness takes on a menacing figure, sitting just outside of our grasp, waiting to encroach and swallow us whole. That’s how we feel about darkness. And yet, the Season of Advent, dark as it may be, possesses the promise of everything that stands in opposition to that.
The Church begins her new year when the days are getting darker, not lighter. Ask any expectant mother if she wants her baby to come early and she will say no, no she does not. As badly as her back hurts, as long as it has been since she has last seen her toes, she is willing to wait because the baby is not yet ready. There is still more time to be had, more growth needed, deep inside where that baby sits in darkness.
The Church waits like this during Advent. We wait because the baby is not yet ready, which means that we are not yet ready either. Just like the infant, there is still more time to be had, more growth needed, deep inside where we all sit in darkness.
Meditating through this darkness, sitting here, waiting here, praying here, we discover that darkness does not come from a different place than light. Darkness is not lorded over by any different God. The long, dark nights of Advent point us toward God, just as the bright light of Easter morning points us there. The promise of new life, of extraordinary joy, of God’s own self, is on its way.
-Fr. Ross
On November 12th we celebrated the Rite of Acceptance with SAU students Jadie Knecht and Maddie Palanos. Their sponsors, Josie Mork and Carson Abramson, presented them to our faith community. During the celebration, we promised to support them with our prayers as they continue preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Jadie and Maddie meet weekly with their sponsors and our initiation team to reflect on the Sunday Scriptures proclaimed at Mass and to learn about the Catholic faith and way of life.
If you are interested in learning more about joining the Catholic Church, please contact us at ministry@sau.edu.
Looking for an organization to support during Bee the Difference Month? Contact Nicky Gant, Service & Justice Coordinator at gantnicole@sau.edu or 563-333-6071, or see attached pdf for a list of non-profit organizations near campus, who are in need of volunteers.
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But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. -Isaiah 40:31
In the sport of distance running, there is a phenomenon known as “the second wind.” When an athlete pushes through the point of exhaustion and near collapse, suddenly they are given a fresh burst of energy and renewed strength to persevere. Scientists do not agree on the biological explanation for this experience, but it is common among those who are willing to push themselves to their limits.
A journey of faith can feel like a long distance run. As we celebrate Bee the Difference Month here on campus and are asked to incorporate more prayer and service into our lives, many of us are already maxed out with work, school, family and holiday responsibilities. It has been a long semester, and the finish line is not yet in sight. The question is: can we push ourselves a little further to live out our ideals as a community?
Saint Teresa of Calcutta said: “I have found the paradox that if you love until it hurts, there can be no hurt, only more love.” In her faithfulness, she was able to experience a sort of spiritual second wind.
We too can experience the renewed strength and vitality that comes from pushing through our limits of faithfulness. When we wrestle our anxious mind into the quiet of prayer, we can experience the peace of the Holy Spirit washing over us and gain discernment over what we're called to do. When we make time to engage in community outreach, we can discover it is the most rewarding part of our day. It happens all the time. It’s common to experience an increased sense of joy, energy, gratitude and spiritual connection by focusing more on God and others than ourselves.
Maya Angelou said: “I have found that among other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” As we challenge ourselves to "Bee the Difference" this month and always, I pray God will renew our strength, liberate us from our perceived limitations of what we're capable of and bless us with an abundance of joy and fulfillment in all areas of our lives.
Looking for an organization to support during Bee the Difference Month? Contact Nicky Gant, Service & Justice Coordinator at gantnicole@sau.edu or 563-333-6071, or see the attached PDF list of non-profit organizations near campus, who are in need of volunteers.
Have a question about a program or event going on in Campus Ministry? Got an idea for something you'd like to see happen? EMAIL US at ministry@sau.edu.
