AN ADVENT REFLECTION

 

 

 

This reflection is based on the following Advent scripture: JOHN 1: 19-20

    

     And this is the testimony of John.  When the Jews from Jerusalm sent priests and Levites to ask him: "Who are you?"  John admitted and did not deny it, but admitted:  "I am not the Messiah."

 

THE LITTLE BLUE BOOK for Advent/Christmas Seasons 2011-2012 offers this reflection about prayer based on that quote;  it appears as one of the selections for Dec. 14, 2011; the REFLECTION:

 

John is very good at saying who he is and what he is not.   He is not the Messiah.

 

Sometimes I forget and act as though I am the Messiah.   Especially when I pray.  Perhaps I try to be sure to include everyone in my prayer.   I do this sincerely because I care about them and I want to help. 

 

Perhaps my prayer gets busy and cluttered because I'm trying to remember to mention all the intentions and all the people for whom I've promised to pray.  It's as though God wouldn't be able to remember someone, if I didn't specifically take care of it.

 

Perhaps I feel I have all these people depending on me and I work very hard to include them in my prayer.

 

In all these ways, I am acting as if I am the Messiah.  It all depends on me.  When I do this, I have things backwards.  God is God and I am God's child.  God handles things as God, and I handle things as God's child.  I can simply relax and talk to God.