WAIT

Theotokos: Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Advent

“all this took place” (Matthew 1:22)

Joseph was going through a lot. He had to sift through his decision to divorce Mary quietly. He had to acknowledge his fear and unworthiness. There was much going on in Joseph. But, what about Mary? What was Mary doing while “all this took place?” Mary waited. With her gaze still on God, with her spirit empty, and her nothingness knowing that “nothing is impossible for God” (Luke 1:37), Mary waited. While Mary waited she continued to relate. She disclosed her thoughts to God. She related her feelings. She shared her desires. While Mary waited for Joseph, Mary waited with God—and there was much happening in the wait.

Most of us don’t like to wait. Television commercials are littered with gadgets and gizmos that save us time so that we don’t have to wait. For most of us waiting is filled with lacking—waiting means the delay of that which we want. However, Mary embraced the wait because Mary waited with God.

So far this Advent we have unpacked our wanting to be in control and the fact that each of us has our plans. Furthermore, last week we read from Habakkuk 2:3 that God’s plan “presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come.” There is a difference between waiting for God to do something versus waiting with God as He does something. When we wait for God to do what we have asked Him, then the wait can seem empty. However, when wait with God as He does something, then the waiting is filled with intimacy and union. Have you asked God to do something in your life? If so, are you still waiting? Spend some time with Mary and ask her to describe her wait.

For your prayer

Mary would have often prayed with Psalm 27. Prep your imaginative prayer by slowly reading Psalm 27. Use your spiritual senses and imaginatively pray with Mary as she waited in Matthew 1:22.

“Father, I ask for the grace today to taste your personal love for me. I beg you to help me wait with you while you do great things in my life.”

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