Irresistible Trust

This season of Advent is always a reminder that we are on a journey longing to be fully united to Him as He longs to be with us.

One way that we experience His continual love and presence is through the Sacraments, particular through the Eucharist. We were at daily Mass at a local parish and one of the older women at Mass brought what must have been one of her grandchildren. The little girl was about 3 years old and she was wearing the cutest skirt with a hot pink top and sparkle sandals. And she just kind of swayed through Mass. When she went up for Communion with her Grandma the priest went to give her a blessing and she just twirled right under him!

How beautiful, lovely, innocent, pure, free, secure and confident. As women, as beloved daughters this is how God the Father looks on us, He bends over us delighting in us and desires that we be so confident in His love that we just twirl, totally free to be ourselves.  Remembering our daughterhood is a necessary place to live and a prerequisite to the bigger “yeses” that come as bride and mother in any Vocation.

Mary is the ultimate daughter. She lived her life on earth with an openness and trust to the Father’s providential care and all of His surprises! Her heart expanded with each faithful yes which readied her heart for the biggest yes in History. Mary’s trust in Him was so great that she said yes at the Annunciation without even knowing the whole story. Nowhere in Gabriel’s message did he say “you will lose your son for three long days” or “he will be rejected” or “you will see him with a crown of thorns.”

Because she was living so vibrantly as daughter in an ongoing loving relationship with God, Mary knew that He was trustworthy. The only thing she needed to know at this moment was her Son’s name. The name above all names, the lifesaving and changing name, the name that signifies His presence. “And you shall call His name Jesus.” (Lk 1:31)

Trust is irresistible to the Father. With each act of trust in him, it gives Him more permission to make something beautiful out of our lives. Out of reverence for us, God only shares enough light for the next step. He does not light us our whole path because it would be too much. The Blessed Mother trusted that “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) She simply received what was given in trust and moved forward (or perhaps even twirled) with courage, faith and love.

This open posture of trust helps us to combat the all too familiar desire for control, achievement and productivity that the world demands of us. As you live with a discerning heart this season of Advent (and every season of your life) may the name of Jesus, His very presence, be the light for the next step on this wonderful journey of trust.

The Sisters of Life Vocation Team

Sr. Maria Regina, Sr. Cora, Sr. Eucharistiae