For nine long months, Joseph and Mary anxiously anticipated
the coming of their child. They were tossed back and forth between knowing who
he would be and, yet, wondering what he would be like and what this would mean.
Today, the world around us labors. The church in the world
also labors. We all struggle to find our footing in this balance between wonder
and knowledge. Christ has come, indeed, and he has promised to come again, to
make all things new. And in the church we see that this newness of creation is
already taking place. We know that in the church God’s mission is being
fulfilled. Still, it has not yet reached its fulfillment. It has yet to be
completed.
Some refer to this as the “already and the not yet,” as the
age to come has begun breaking into this world but has not been brought in
fullness. These are interesting times in which we live, knowing what is to come
but wondering what this will look like, what this will mean. In many ways, we
are much like Joseph and Mary, anxiously anticipating the coming of the Christ.
Still, in a significant way, his coming is already being
made known through us as we, the church, participate in his life. As we give us
ourselves for the sake of ennobling others, we see the coming of Christ. When
the church lowers itself to lift up others, the promised tomorrow breaks a
little further into today. And as we wait, just like Joseph and Mary, we do so
knowing there is much work to be done to prepare for the coming of the Son of
God.
In our waiting, as we struggle, may we not be overcome with
anxiety. Rather, may we take up the life of Christ today in hopeful
anticipation of his coming in fullness tomorrow.
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