A Providential Beginning (11/30/2024)

Yesterday, I had a date to meet up with a member of the local Moravian Church. We’d never met. She was picking up her flyers for their bake sale when she spotted our flyers for our bake sale the same day. She was inspired to reach out and see if we could collaborate. We met for coffee and shared over an hour together, coming to know one another better and establishing a line of cooperation and collaboration that we hope will last. As I walked to my car, I thanked the LORD whom I knew was behind this.

The LORD has a divine plan and sets in motion the means for which it can be accomplished. When we cooperate with that, when we seize upon an opportunity like the one my new friend did, we call it providence – not to be confused with coincidence. Providence happens frequently in our lives, but we can dismiss it as coincidence.

As we sat and chatted, we were touched by the multiple things we shared which affirmed our decision to cooperate and collaborate in spite of our differences. We could clearly see that our common beliefs called us to work together. One point in particular that truly grabbed our attention was her mission trip to Peru in January to the very place I sent seminarians on mission while in charge of that program at Mundelein Seminary for 10 years. We recognized the bond the LORD was forging.

As we end our march through Ordinary Time and enter Advent, let us take time to truly look at the most providential event of all time – the LORD’s sending of His only begotten Son through the Spirit and the cooperation of a lowly and humble virgin over 2000 years ago. Let us recognize that it is providence, that is part of the LORD’s unfolding will for us and for all humanity. And let us open ourselves to collaborate with the LORD, to cooperate with the Spirit, to give ourselves over to this love so powerful that in His coming as our brother, He changed the trajectory of human history forever.

Let us truly celebrate the LORD’s love for us and desires for us. Let us look for the LORD’s continued providence in our lives. Let us make this season of Advent a time when we truly allow our whole being to be tenderized, our minds, our hearts, our souls, so as to better receive and welcome our Savior.

Our LORD isn’t done. Our LORD’s loving power and presence continue to manifest themselves in our midst, in our lives, in our world. May we recognize providence when we encounter it. May we recognize the LORD at work when we experience Him.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.