Yearning For More
On the First Sunday of Advent, we had the pleasure of welcoming Saint Nicholas the Bishop of Myra in our Church for the German speaking Community. The children greeted him with large and eager eyes. The anticipation of his visit was easy to see. Even I was excited to see him. He shared a story with us, something that had happened to him.
The Stars in the Sky
Last summer he injured his foot and ended up spending quite a lot of time sitting and lying around. On one clear night, he became fascinated with the multitude of stars which had illuminated the sky. Saint Nicholas told us about the shooting stars, those little flashes of light whose tails cross the sky. He recalled how fascinated he was by what he saw that he could barely close his mouth. Maybe there are times when we feel the same way, so amazed by something we see, so in awe. I too am fascinated by the vastness and depth of the sky, adorned with stars.
Celestial Influence
I am convinced that stars have an influence on us. For as long as humans can remember, stars have played a significant role in our lives. Whether it's a touching walk by starlight or an enchanting celestial dance in the night sky, stars are usually symbolic of something else, something big, something small, something significant, or something insignificant. Stars, however, are symbolic. They are like meeting points where the various aspects of our lives come together.
In a very unique way, stars unite heaven and earth. For a moment, let us recall these shooting stars. They appear to fall from the sky so that we can ascend into heaven.
Watching and Waiting
If you want to catch a glimpse of these shooting stars, you need to be in the right place at the right time. Moreover, you must be watchful. As banal as it may sound, the central theme for the First Sunday of Advent is one of vigilance and mindfulness.
The Gospel of Mark
In the Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent (Mark 13: 33-37), Jesus cautions his disciples in the Parable of the Need for Watchfulness. Three times he instructs them to be vigilant and mindful, ready, in order not to miss the important encounters in life. Vigilance and mindfulness are the unique qualities of people who have the ability to discern different stars and their radiance. These kinds of people have the courage and honesty to seek the simple and uncomplicated aspects of life.
They have the courage to inquire about life’s various horizons.
They are brave enough to ask questions and to encounter themselves in the light of the star of truth.
Longing for More
I am convinced that the deep longing for happiness, that longing for relationships and love, begins with a vigilant and grateful heart. It is with this thought that I appreciate the words of the Jewish poet Nelly Sachs when she writes,
“In the beginning is yearning, the heart always has room for more, for something more beautiful, greater. That is Man’s greatness and need: yearning for silence, for friendship and love. and where yearning is stilled it starts up even stronger. Did not your incarnation, God, begin with this yearning for Man? So may our yearning now begin to seek you, and may it end in having found you.”
Following the Stars
Friends, do you feel that yearning? To follow the star of this longing is a matter of awareness – it is a journey. The Three Wise Men travelling from the east did not begin their journey on January 6th. No, they have been on the road with their inner eyes and their inner heart for a long time. They have followed the star of this deep longing – on their way to God’s revelation. This yearning was and is placed in our hearts by God. It is a faith that I share with you and with many others. I believe that this divine yearning from God to Man instills in us as human beings the deep desire for more.
For love. For fullness and acceptance,
For justice and mercy.
Yes, Advent - Adventus - the arrival.
This time of preparation for Christmas desires to open the space for God. God, who wants to be both host and gift at the same time. He opens the gates of heaven for our salvation and happiness and gives us His Son. God, who gives Himself, will never be our possession but remains a gift from heaven. Perhaps, He may even come at a time when we least expect or even yearn for it.
Living the Message
As we celebrate this season of anticipation, may we unlock the gates of our lives and share the joys and sorrows of life. Let us approach one another and encounter each other with mindfulness, care, and a vigilant spirit, not only during the Season of Advent, but today and every day.
The pastoral team of Good Shepherd and Gut Hirt, wish each and every one of you joyful and contemplative Advent days.
Praise be to Jesus Christ – now and forever- Immanuel. Amen.
Fr.Kurt