I’ve been in bed sick with a flu for the last 5 days, in a feverish darkness awaiting the light of renewed health. My once loyal work horse of a car blew a head yesterday when my son was heading to work. All I can really do is surrender in my bedroom infirmary stocked with Nyquil, and thanks to my dear friend Theresa who also brought me homemade lentil soup, throat soothing tea and menthol rub. I also have beside me a stack of soul quenching books, my delight when I feel up for a read. I’ve surrendered here in fluish darkness where I find an odd comfort in listening for God without distraction, holding a sliver of hope in my otherwise weary body. I’ve heard clearly, “Just be and stop doing”, and think of Saint Teresa who often fell ill, a vessel for rapture. My rapture comes mostly in just a snaky fever, with tiny glimpses of God’s presence trying to break through with tiny bursts of unexpected of joy. So appropriate during Advent!
In order to ‘just be’, I’m taking a break from writing, yet leaving you with some scriptural reflections for contemplation during this season of Advent, an adventure from darkness to light.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows – light! sunbursts of light!
THIS WEEK: HOPE
ISAIAH 60:1-5
ISAIAH 9:2
JOHN 1:15
WEEK 2: PEACE
LUKE 2:8-14
JOHN 14:25-27
Romans 15:13
WEEK 3: JOY
ISAIAH 35:10
ISAIAH 49;13
LUKE 1:8-11
WEEK 4 LOVE
ISAIAH 16:4-5
JOHN 3:16-17
JOHN 3:34-36
JOHN 15:9-15
CHRISTMAS EVE
ISAIAH 9:2-7
“It is Advent: the time just before the adventure begins, when everybody is leaning forward to hear what will happen even though they already know what will happen and what will not happen, when they listen hard for meaning, their meaning, and begin to hear, only faintly at first, the beating of unseen wings…
– Frederick Buechner, The Magnificent Defeat.
Oh sweet Kthy. I’m so very sorry you are ill, and when I emerge from my own illness (since Sunday) I will remember to pray for you and me both. I’ve not felt this badly in a long while. Need to have tea and lie down. May he hold us in his palm and we “just be” w/ him.
Thank you so much Lynn..I’m so sorry you are unwell too..it’s a crummy flu..I hope it doesn’t get that far with you…I am literally eating raw garlic with honey and tumeric with honey every hour..it has helped enormously curtail the coughing, and clearing up my head..trying to avoid antiboitics.. you might try these remedies if you can deal with it! Rest, rest, rest! I wrote you an email but it was returned to me..I will check it later to be sure I sent to the right address! Sending you comfort and prayers..
May you feel better soon Kathy. It’s not easy being still when our minds just wants to not feel the hardship and get our bodies to do again! And so appreciate those scriptures to dive into during this advent season. I’ve copied them for myself. Thank you!
oh thank you so much..It’s been one of those ‘won’t go away’ fast flus..my dear friend brought me soup again today..so nurtured by these gifts..
so glad you will enjoy advent readings. Blessings!
I love your beautiful spirit in its continued openness to God’s light despite feeling physically horrible. I am reminded of how inconsolably ill I felt after the election and my inability to feel connected to the Divine spirit. It has taken me a couple of weeks to understand how millions of American people could vote for a sexual predator, misogynist, racist, narcissist, con man to be the most powerful leader in the world. How do we explain this election outcome to our children who don’t understand how millions of Americans elected this most unChristlike figure? It is only through deep spiritual reading, talking with brothers and sisters of the sacred heart, meditation, Carl Jung and Martin Luther King’s work that I have finally gotten over the anger and utter despair. During those darkest emotional times, I did keep getting the message that it is time to WAKE UP AMERICA!!! I better understand the purpose of going through physical and emotional challenges….it inspires very deep reflection and spiritual work. I have finally gotten to the point of HOPE which is the focus of my first week of advent. I am hoping for your quick recovery from this horrible flu dear Kathy AND for a bridge in the hearts of the people in our divided country.
So many are processing the tremendous angst and divisions these week’s the election has brought forth, the values we stand for have been turned upside down..your words show how you are trying to process the enormous cloud of hate and darkness. When I read last night how college campus’ are facing an upsurge of blatant anti-semitism, it all really hit home and I felt such fear and concern..but always the light shines, the hope is what we follow and God’s truth. Blessings. I’m so glad you feel you can voice your despair and discover a path to hope.
Oh friend, I’m SO sorry you have been sick! What a peaceful way to be united with God in times of illness… in the still and quiet moments with Him. You left us all with a road through the Advent season… the path of purpose and the steps through scripture. Thank you for that. <3
Praying you recover quickly, honey.
*I love love love that quote at the end.
thanks Christine! Slowly coming back to feeling better!