Today, as we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent, these words from the first reading from Isaiah strike a chord for us. “Yet, O LORD, you are our father; we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands.” Sam & I are both reminded to let the Lord form us in His ways both individually and as a married couple on our journey each day.
And as we continue to reflect, from Mark’s gospel, Jesus says, “Be watchful! Be Alert!” These words prompt us to be mindful of our actions towards our spouse and others, to help prepare ourselves during this season of Advent. This is a two-fold time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to the anniversary of Jesus’ birth at Christmas and also to Christ’s second coming at the end of time. Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight. It contains an element of penance in the sense of preparing, quieting and disciplining our hearts for the full joy of Christmas.
As we journey through Advent, joining our hearts and hands together in reflective prayer, we pray for God to form us (the clay) during this time of spiritual preparation. In our efforts to strengthen our sacramental love in the covenant that we made with God 40 years ago, we are choosing to “Be Watchful… Be Alert,” to focus each other by making daily decisions to love and decisions to be loved by our spouse throughout Advent.
As we all know, loving our spouse is often easy, joyful and very rewarding as we grow in our love and intimacy as a couple. Yet other times, we may struggle, or even find it difficult, when we are not in the right frame of mind or feeling neglected ourselves. In these times, God asks us to step up to the plate, leave our attitude of self-centeredness behind and make a conscious choice: to make a decision to love our spouse. In doing so, we are once again on track as we mirror Christ’s love to our beloved spouse.
Have you ever felt unlovable? Have you turned away when your spouse tried to give you words of encouragement when you were feeling down or a hug when you were disappointed? Maybe it’s time to think about letting yourself be loved. “Be watchful… Be Alert” of your actions. Make a conscious choice to be loved by your spouse. Let them be the hands of God by simply letting go and letting them love you, just as you are in your brokenness. There is nothing more amazing when you feel the presence of God through the love of your spouse.
Making decisions to love our spouse and to be loved by our spouse brings us to a higher stage of joy in our sacramental marriage. Love is a decision. Be aware, live in the moment. This is the joy that God wants us all to experience as a married couple each day.
We will keep your marriage relationship in our daily prayers during this season of devout and expectant delight.
Advent Blessings to All of You!
Sam & Liz
No comments:
Post a Comment