But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing!
Romans 13: 11-12 MSG
There is an urgency in the advent message of hope in our hurting world. Like the maji, we journey toward the tiny flicker of light, not knowing what it will illuminate in our ordinary days ahead. Advent is meant to wake us up and turn our hearts to God's enduring presence with us, to pay attention to the One who joins us on every step of the journey. We hope this retreat will help you take a moment to be still, to be awake and notice what shimmers with hope and possibility. Notice what God is up to in your life, in your community, and in the world.
Recently I read a hope-filled story about Omar and his younger, non-verbal brother, Hassan, who lived in a refugee camp in Kenya. The boys' father was killed in the war and they were separated from their mother. Fatuma, an older woman who also lived in the camp, looked out for the boys, Life was difficult with barely enough food, resources, and health care. Omar had the opportunty to go to school and excelled in his studies even though it was overwhelming to also care for his brother and do his chores. Many times he was discouraged and ready to quit, but he remember the advice he received from a teacher..."When God gives you a gift, it is your job to use it." After many years and much waiting, Omar and his brother's names were selected by the United Nations to possibly leave the camp. It required a grueling process of filling out forms and scary interviews, then waiting with hope. When they were not chosen, Omar became frustrated and almost gave up hope. Friends encouraged him that God is with him on this path through the darkness. They said, "Wait for the war to be over, wait to be resettled. wait for news of your mother." Four years later the unexpected happened when Omar and his brother were selected for resettlement in the United States. Leaving Fatuma and their friends was difficult and the transition to an unknown country and culture was not without challenges. Through perseverance, Omar graduated from the University of Arizona and he and his brother became citizens in 2014. He married and moved with his family to Lancaster, PA to work as a resettlement case manager at Church World Service. Omar never gave up hope of seeing his mother again. Unknown to him, she was also seaching for her sons and arrived in the camp where they use to live. She was led to Fatuma who showed her photographs of her sons and told her of their journey to America. Omar searched for her for many years. After twenty-three years of separation, Omar and Hassan were able to return to the camp in Kenya and reunite with her. She still remains in the refugee camp and Omar is trying to secure papers for her to join them in America. Omar encourages others to be patient and never lose hope.
Through life's difficulties and many twists and turns, hope is what propelled a new reality for Omar and his brother. Hope is a muscle and is strengthened with practice. Hope is persistent. It asks us to open our eyes and hearts to recognize it when it shows up and to respond to what it offers. Richardson says, "hope knows its own way. It is a mystery, but it has a parth, an invitation, a labyrinth for us to walk. As with a labyrinth, the way of hope does not allow us to see far ahead. But this way invites us to keep walking, to dream of how the path will unfold, and to trust that what we need will come to us." We are not alone. God is with us on the journey illuminating the way. We too can be candles to light the way for others.
~Howard Thurman
Prayer
God of Hope, come! Be the Morning Star in our midst, the Light that can never go out, the Beacon of Hope guiding our way to you. Come into our midst and make of our lives a home, where your everlasting goodness resonates with asurring love and vigouous hope.
~Joyce Rupp
Song: There is a Candle in Every Soul by Annica
Reflection
1. This first week of advent, ponder the ways God has illuminated your path and strengthened your hope muscle.
2. In your ordinary days, notice what shimmers with mystery and possibility, solace and hope.
Resources
Jamieson, V. & Mohamed, O. (2020). When Stars are Scattered. New York: Penquin Random House.
Richarson, J. (2017) Walking the Way of Hope: A Retreat for Women's Christmas. janrichardson.com
Rupp, J. (2000). Out of the Ordinary. Notre Dame,Indiana: Ave Maria Press
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