Patience As a Process
The Second Sunday of Advent
Reflection By Jason Lavann
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
- Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
One of the pleasantly frustrating qualities about my partner Kristy is her ability to fall asleep with ease. We laugh about this, but in honesty I find myself resentful because sleep never comes easily for me. Much of my struggle with falling asleep lies in my inability to deal with unfinished work. There is the professional unfinished work that keeps me awake: an ever-expanding to-do list, a homily that did not come together, a pastoral visit where I could have provided better care, or the sadness at a parish member who is disappointed with me. There is also the personal unfinished work of my life: the fact that I continually struggle with selfishness and self-consciousness, stubbornness and impatience, materialism, and wanting to be in control.
As I stir impatiently with all the unfinished work of my life, Kristy will wisely say, “The beauty of the night is that it makes room for a new day.” Maybe that is why Kristy sleeps better—she carries the understanding that unfinished work is part of life, and even finds joy in facing it another day. Or, I think of the wise words my bishop said to me as I was getting ready to walk down the Cathedral aisle for my ordination: “Remember Jason, ordination does not make you a priest. It gives you permission to learn how to become one!”
Fifteen years later, I am still learning how to become a priest. I am still learning how to become a partner to Kristy, a friend to my dear friends, a student to my mentors, and ever since I emerged from the waters of Baptism when I was a few weeks old, I have been learning how to be a sheep of the Shepherd.
In today’s second reading, Paul celebrates the gift of a God who dances in all our unfinished work: “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (NLT, Philippians 1:6). The beauty of the night is that it makes room for a new day! Our birth is permission to spend the rest of our lives learning and growing. Growth is not our work to do alone, but work God delights to continually do with and within us!
At the end of the day, Advent invites us to rest patiently with ourselves in the paradox of discovering that all the unfinished work of our lives is not an obstacle, but somehow becomes an invitation for God to enter and birth wisdom and growth, again and anew. Instead of lying awake dwelling impatiently on all that is left to be done, thanks to Advent, maybe I can fall asleep dreaming of what God longs to birth in the light of a new day!
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