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GUEST COMMENTARYFinding the presence of Christ in the jungleMARY ST. PIERRE There is a motivational poster that has circulated for more than 10 years of a man climbing a steep mountain. On it are the words, “Begin With the End in Mind.” The words are taken from Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” which remains a top-seller 15 years running. In it, Covey reveals the way to define both present location and future direction so the steps taken are consistently in the right direction. “Effectiveness,” Covey says, “does not depend solely on how much effort we expend, but on whether or not the effort we expend is in the right jungle.” In Catholic churches throughout the world and hopefully within our homes the first purple candle of the Advent wreath was lit last Sunday. This Sunday, the second purple candle ignites. For just a minute before you read on, shut your eyes and contemplate from the heart the following question: Within the past week, did you think more about the days rapidly passing, or how to spiritually and mentally prepare yourself and your loved ones for rejoicing over the birth, life and never ending presence of Our Lord, Jesus Christ? If this moment of reflection revealed a picture of spiritual focus, then stay grounded in the path you are walking. If, however, you found yourself agitated at the thought of taking a quiet thought-filled moment because you don’t have the time to waste, your efforts expended may have you placed in the wrong jungle. And the roar of the gift-giving lion is loud and getting closer. The very good news is it’s not too late to tame the wild beast that is being fed by the demands we place on ourselves. Take it from Covey; each of us is solely responsible for defining our present location and future direction so the steps taken are right. Remember, even within a jungle, there are pristine, peaceful areas away from the hustle and roaring of thunderous herds, but to find them one has to prepare and commit to taking the right path. If we reflect deeply on the passion and death of Christ during Lent and give up a variety of bad habits or good ones (such as chocolate), what stops us from preparing the same way during Advent? Most likely, we’re afraid of disappointing, even though the giver of even one gift is well aware of what gets cast off and what lasts a lifetime. We heard in last Sunday’s first reading, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts” (1 Thes 3:12-13). This Sunday we will hear, “And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God” (Phil 1:9-11). In the midst of our jungles this Advent season, may our roaring lion learn to lie quietly with the Lamb and along the journey to the Christmas celebration of Jesus Christ in our lives, may we share his presence with others.
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