Faith, hope, and love…
Three virtues intertwined.
I love this quote by poet Rainer Maria Rilke that reminds me I am loved.
It reminds me I am loved no matter what, whether I recognize it or not.
It reminds me not only that I am loved, but that love comes with strength.
It comes with abounding grace.
It’s surrounds me and fortifies me and gives me all I need to be complete.
If I only believe in it.
So, why is it so hard to do?
Why is it so easy to forget?
In the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius, he has a meditation called the Two Standards. Basically, it’s a meditation that invites you to examine which standard you serve – that of the world or that of Christ.
It seems like when I get caught up in the world, I forget about this all encompassing love God has for me. I’m more aware of my faults, my failings as well as my accomplishments, my goals, and my wants.
I forget to look outward to this love being offered to me.
I forget about the grace it offers.
And the strength.
When I get caught up in my faith in God instead and the hope contained in it, I am more in tune with the strength and the grace permeating my life. I am more likely to imitate Christ and share that love He offers me.
Yesterday, I asked some students if they had any Advent traditions. It’s kind of a funny question for me to ask because I realized I wasn’t sure I had my own answer to share.
Advent can often be bypassed by the joy of the holiday season… I know I’m guilty of that for sure.
So what if I, what if we, used this Advent as a time to give space for faith and for hope to flourish so we can recognize and feel that love that has no limits.
And share it with others.
