I love my job. It can be hard to tell sometimes. I once told a local newspaper reporter it’s because I see God doing wonderful things. Now some of what I’ve seen God do has left me speechless. I’ve seen the majestic mountain range that runs the length of New Zealand a couple of times. They’re called the Remarkables because, well, they’re awesome and remarkable. I suppose so are the Rockies out west, and the Andes in South America, and the Himalayas in central Asia, and the Alps in Europe. I bet they’re just as breathtaking and majestic and remarkable. Now some other things God has done you might need a microscope to see, or at least you’ll need to stop and take careful notice. There’s the understated and delicate simplicity of nature at work on the ocean floor, and in every vegetable garden, in the germination of new life from lifeless dried seeds, and the conversion of light energy into chemical energy in the process of photosynthesis, in rising bread and fermenting wine, and in the intricate chemistry that brings healing to bodily injury, which also generally keeps us healthy, little children learning to walk, and injured athletes learning to walk again. They give us pause to reflect on the awesome mystery that drives the human spirit to overcome its limits.
And have you ever watched the miracle of birth? I know some of you are going, yeah, been there, done that. I imagine it’s different from my perspective. But I can say, it’s simply amazing, a tad messy, but awesome and terrifying all at the same time. There’s intense pain and ecstatic joy, horrified screaming and delirious laughter. There’s closeness and distance and intimacy and alienation. So very confusing and so very wonderful. There’s murderous threats this will never ever happen again. And there’s tears of jubilation we really should have another. It makes you wonder if alcohol is involved. Well, alcohol might have been involved previously. Some people might even celebrate with alcohol after. And some will suggest alcohol would be welcome all through the entire process, although the hospital would probably disagree.
And the most awesome thing about God doing wonderful things is that every now and again I’m actually there when it happens. I can only speak of what I know.
But wonderful things have been happening in this parish long before I arrived 5 months ago. They will keep happening because God is hard at work. Many continue to experience transforming change in their lives, finding strength in adversity, persevering despite challenging odds. I’ve met with people asking for baptism, and a few returning to the practice of the faith after being away a few years. I know they’ve been on their journey long before I showed up. So I acknowledge that God is indeed doing amazing things in many people’s lives. I’m just fortunate and grateful I’m here to see it.
I’ve helped with high school retreats. And I’ve seen teenagers come to realize that God walks alongside them. Parents tell me about raising children knowing I have none and get a glimpse into God’s experience of fatherhood from their own amazing and frustrating experience of parenting their own kids. I’ve seen the sick and elderly surrender trust into God’s hands, awakening to the redemptive value of their own suffering for the life of the world. I’ve seen people at the end of life’s journey face their own mortality and know a deep sense of peace and joy coming home to God’s embrace. I’ve seen grieving families find comfort knowing our God is merciful and forgiving beyond measure. Somewhere along the journey, we encounter God profoundly and personally and we are transformed. Ultimately every such encounter makes the journey worth all the trouble. And for many who have known the experience, nothing is more awesome than coming back again and again and again and again.
When I first arrived at St. Therese, I invited you to tell me what I needed to know to be your pastor. I was encouraged by your warm welcome and your honesty. And it helped that there were doughnuts. And since then, I’ve sat down with a few more who have shared your burdens and your hurts. I am convinced this is a place where some people can begin anew. I’ve met a few who have stumbled into my office or come to confession on a Saturday afternoon, who have brought stories of brokenness and hurt, of struggle and rejection. I have found myself apologizing for the damage done to them by other priests and church leaders. And then I pray for whoever would come after me, who have to fix any damage caused by my carelessness and pride. Sometimes they’ve come acknowledging their mistakes hoping that the door is still open. And when I can extend to them a heartfelt welcome, a willingness to walk the journey alongside them, and offer sacramental absolution for sins they confess, I am filled with wonder and awe.
The church gives us the season of Advent as a time to quiet ourselves down, to look deep within, to gather our thoughts, to watch and wait. But we do not watch and wait in idleness. We watch and wait in readiness, alert for signs of God’s presence, for the sound of God’s voice, with wonder and awe for God who does amazing things. We wait with eager longing and expectation. God is bringing about wonderful deeds in our lives, such wonders as we can only hope or imagine.
If we imagine God to be angry with us because of our weakness and our sins, we might recall the prophet Isaiah tell us, “Yet we know that God is our father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We are all the works of your hands.” Our God has not turned away from us. God desires our good. St. Paul reminds us that “God has enriched us in every way so that we are not lacking in any spiritual gifts as we wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. God will keep us firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful and by him we were called to fellowship with his Son.”
How then can we be fearful? Do we not trust God’s mercy surpasses even our most grievous transgressions? We might not know the time of his return. And God has given us great evidence of his love in the many wonders of creation and the tender care of those who love us. This Advent season God invites us to prepare with joy and eager longing for him to accomplish something amazing in our lives. We just need to be alert and ready. We just need to await with joy. We could perhaps be more attentive this Advent to hear God call us to a transforming and renewing change. We might feel God’s presence more strongly in the suffering and hurt of those in need. We might see his face more clearly in the awesome wonders unfolding around us each day.
God is doing amazing things all around us. But are we even paying attention?
Rolo B Castillo © 2023
middlechildcatholicpriest 