My dear mom was a person who loved to chat, talk, share, socialize, and laugh.
My dad worked at a bank, and from time to time, the wives of the bank executives would get together to play cards, have dinner, and socialize. They would meet perhaps every month or every two months; I don’t exactly remember. What I do remember was when it was my mom’s turn to host the ladies at our house.
The ladies took turns hosting the rest of the group. They would organize themselves, the hostess would provide something to eat, and the guests would also bring something to share.
In the week before my mom hosted the other ladies, she would dedicate some time to calling them on the phone to confirm their attendance. Perhaps that was just an excuse, but they would usually end up chatting for quite a while.
With that call, my mom would find out if they could attend. Occasionally, one of the ladies would say that she wouldn’t be able to come, to which my mom would say that if there was any change in her availability, she was welcome to come without needing to call again.
There was one time that I clearly remember when one of those ladies who had initially said she couldn’t come, showed up at the gathering. And not only did my mom gladly welcome her, but so did the rest of the ladies.
There were guests, and when those who hadn’t confirmed showed up, they were received with joy.
What didn’t happen was that they were ignored for not having confirmed and showing up at the last minute. That is, the guests were welcomed and attended to. There was joy because of their presence.
In Scripture, it is described how people would say to God: “Come!”
Which was similar to when my mother tried to confirm the attendance of her guests. When they arrived, they were welcomed and attended to.
What is your experience with God in this regard?
Do you clearly invite God? Do you recognize and attend to His presence?
And in Scripture, the changes that occur when God is present are described. Something like seeing better, hearing better, walking better, speaking better.
And at the same time, perhaps it’s about realizing that God IS already present, already here.
Inviting Him into your life and heart requires being aware that He is there, ready for each of us. Ready for you.
Jesus, ready to be with you, ready to love you.
If the Spirit leads you, share with Jesus the carpenter if you want to extend an invitation to Him. And perhaps you’ll realize that He has already been ready to share life with you.
Marisol
P.S.: We can hear about what happens when God is present in the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent, Year/Cycle A.
