“Herding Spiders” (12/14/2023)

Last evening was faith formation for elementary and middle school children at our parish, and it was scheduled as the Christmas Program Rehearsal. We gathered in our classrooms, took attendance, handed out the scripts to our students for their specific parts, and then headed over to Church for the rehearsal. Keeping over 100 youth “on the same page” for an hour after a long day at school and probably more than one sugary treat can be like herding spiders, smart critters, with powers we don’t suspect, and moves we wouldn’t anticipate. It wasn’t perfect for sure, but I am confident that the program itself next Wednesday evening will be because it is to give praise and honor to our LORD, to bring us together as a community, and to celebrate the Father’s love that sent the Son through the power of the Spirit.

Often life doesn’t go as planned. Often life is messy and even though we might try to choreograph its every move, we rarely succeed. Life is like that. But even in those messy moments, in those seemingly chaotic times, if we look closely with hearts of love and with faith-filled eyes, we can see the LORD’s power and presence at work. And those of us who believe in Jesus Christ and in Christmas, believe in miracles.

I was a director of faith formation for parishes across the Midwest for over 20 years. I know that rehearsals rarely go well. But I also have witnessed year after year of inspiring and faith-filled and faith-focused pageants where the youth, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, united a whole community in cramped quarters on paltry budgets. The LORD has a way of making a plan come together.

And so, while I headed home last evening exhausted from the exercise with the youth, I did so full of hope. I could see the potential, my heart was full of hope, and I can hardly wait for the real event next week. I know that when we as a community focus on the real reason for season with our children, the children become guides for we adults – they remind us of the true reason for the season better than any Hallmark movie or sermon.

May we spend this time of our Advent journey reflectively, recognizing the LORD in our moments, in our days, in our life, and in the world. May we give thanks to the LORD for the gift of His Son daily. And may we realize that we can be like a herd of spiders, all scattering in different directions, with different agenda, but we are led by our all present and all loving Shepherd, our LORD.  

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.