Advent Reflections
Mother’s Day is a very underappreciated holiday. I believe that being a mother is one of the world's hardest yet most important jobs. A mother's never-ending love and boundless joy for her child is unmatched. Every year, when Mother’s Day comes around, I ensure my mom has one of the best days possible. I gifted my mom a meaningful and lavish gift this past Mother's Day. I save my money after every occasion, whether on my birthday, Christmas, or other occasions, to ensure I have an extraordinary gift for my mom. She is the world to me, so I saved as much as possible to get her a gift she liked. I carefully selected something I knew she would love and wrapped it in a beautifully decorated box. Today was her day, so I wanted to ensure everything went smoothly and was close to perfect. When the moment came, I handed it to her with a big smile. Surprised, she looked at me and said, “You shouldn’t have. Save your money instead. You don’t have to buy me anything.” I smiled back and replied, “No. I wanted to!” Her tight hug after she opened the gift showed me that she was grateful for the gift, but I also felt the love within that warm embrace. My mom said she appreciated the thought, but nothing could be better than her love for me. She explained that it’s not the material things that matter to her; instead, my time spent and love for her matters more. It made me realize that day wasn’t just Mother’s Day and that I should treat every day as Mother’s Day. Her gratitude for the gift helped me realize that she cherishes everything I do, whether small or big gestures of love.
In the Gospel for the fourth Sunday of Advent, we hear about the Visitation. Elizabeth’s joyful response to Mary mirrors my Mom's reaction to my gift. Elizabeth’s exclamation, “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” captures her recognition of the gift of Mary’s presence - just as my Mom values the time, thought, and love I put in the gift rather than the actual gift itself. These acts demonstrate that relationships are among life’s greatest blessings. Acts of love bring people together. The story invites us to consider how we can express love in our lives in everyday acts of kindness, care, and sacrifice for those around us. Mary’s journey to Elizabeth during the Visitation and her role in bringing Jesus into the world demonstrates love in action: a willingness to serve, give, and uplift others. Showing appreciation to the people we love can help us live out this week’s Gospel story and throughout this Advent season. Let us make this week an opportunity to let love guide our actions, preparing our hearts to welcome the ultimate gift - Jesus Christ - this Christmas.
Third Sunday
The first few weeks of my senior year were pretty rough. I had so much to do, and was juggling my job, homework, college applications, rehearsals, and family responsibilities. On one particularly hard day in September, I was lost in a fog of exhaustion and anxiety. About a third of the way through the day, I was so tired and overwhelmed that I just couldn’t keep going. As I headed to the Drop In Center to recenter myself, one of my friends asked if there was anything she could do to support me. I brushed her off, not wanting her to worry or feel obligated to do anything for me, and kept walking. I pushed through the rest of the day, and forgot about that quick conversation I had with my friend. As G period concluded, I put my head down on my desk and fought back tears. The day had been so long, and I still had a lengthy rehearsal to get through before I could go home and rest. After prayer, I made my way down to the Auditorium, where I ran into my friend. She gave me a hug, saying “I know you had a rough day, so I got you something that will hopefully make it a little better.” She handed me a fresh, warm, chocolate croissant from Starbucks. I was so touched by her gesture that I smiled for the first time all day. Her small act of kindness had brightened my day like the sun coming out after a rainstorm. I felt seen, loved and cared for.
This Sunday’s Gospel preaches a similar message, speaking to the call for generosity, compassion, and action in response to the needs of others. John the Baptist tells the crowds “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” He calls us to love and serve the people around us, just like my friend did for me. Although it may be difficult at times, it is worth it to help the people around us to feel loved and supported. Advent is a season that calls us to prepare our hearts for Christ, and one way to do this is by reflecting on how we respond to the needs of those around us. This Gospel reminds me to find the little things that I can do to make my friends, family, classmates, and even strangers feel seen, loved, and happy. Just like how my friend went out of her way to support me, we are all called to give of ourselves to love and serve the people around us. This Advent, I want to renew my commitment to joyful service, to imitate Christ in everything I do. I want to practice radical kindness and service, to prepare myself for the glory of the coming of Christ. Think about how John the Baptist’s call could be applied in your life. Are there opportunities to love, support or bring joy to the people around you? Often, these moments don’t require grand gestures. A warm smile, a listening ear, or the simple gift of a chocolate croissant can reveal God’s presence to others in profound ways.
Second Sunday
Every high school senior across the country has experienced a whirlwind of a first semester this school year. Sometimes it might almost seem like we have a never ending to-do list on our plate: finish this project, turn in that application, play well for that coach. All of these seemingly tedious but necessary things we do are all in preparation to attend the college or university that fits us most for the next 4 years. This past summer, I spent weeks studying for the ACT. I took practice tests, watched tips and tricks videos, and talked with my peers about their experiences. Additionally, I would write for hours to perfect my college essay and personal supplements for all of my applications. To prepare, I would brainstorm ideas, read examples from past applicants, and ask my family and friends for advice. Having prepared for the ACT and my college applications, I feel confident in the results and ready to face the future of college without fear.
Much like how seniors all over the country are preparing for the next 4 years of college, the second Gospel reading of Advent invites us to a different kind of preparation. John the Baptist calls us to ready our hearts for the coming of Christ, proclaiming: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths...The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” This Advent, we are reminded that our spiritual preparation, much like our practical efforts, also requires intention, clearing the way for Christ to enter fully into our lives. We dedicate so much effort into preparing for our earthly future, like I did studying for my ACT test and perfecting college applications. But it makes me stop and wonder: am I putting that same effort into preparing my heart for Christ this Advent season? John the Baptist’s message challenges each of us to reflect on this question. Are we clearing the path for Christ as diligently as we plan for our earthly goals? This season invites us to prepare, not just for what lies ahead in the world, but for the eternal hope and joy found in Christ’s coming.
First Sunday
Over the summer, I visited many colleges nationwide to figure out which ones felt right for me. Not only did I want to find a place that I could call home and would academically challenge me, but I was also looking for a place that aligned with my ability to play football. I hoped this preparation would make the November application deadlines less stressful. However, as the school year started and I began logging into all of my college accounts I came to a tough realization: none of the schools I visited offered a program that aligned with my intended major. This was extremely difficult and I started to lose hope. One night I sat in front of my chromebook researching each college I wanted to go to. But one after the other I found out that none of them had my major. Feeling discouraged, I tried to take my head off of college and work on my homework. But the feeling of dejection stuck with me and I felt too lost and unmotivated to get anything done. I spent many days feeling like this, repeatedly asking myself, what am I going to do with my life? How was this so easy for everybody else last year? Did I just waste these past 3 years?
After reading the Gospel for the First Week of Advent, I could see myself right in the middle of the passage. It felt like Jesus was talking directly to me when he said: “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from…the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” This verse instills hope in me that has been distant for a while. Jesus provides the perfect motivation to not worry about the anxieties of daily life but instead focus on Him and let everything fall into place. Now looking forward to college, I am still full of questions but Jesus’ hope helps me calm down and trust Him and his process because He knows the plans that He has for my life and that my next step will fall into place. As we step further into Advent let us not only prepare ourselves for Jesus’ birth but also have hope that Jesus will be with us through any uncertainties or anxieties we have in life.