December 11, 2020

Mt 11: 16-19

Meeting Jesus in the quiet

Earlier this autumn when tensions were simmering everywhere, I finally let go of arguing. In recommitting to listening and to loving words, even when stirred up, greater peace descended. 

In the midst of that pivot, my soul was stilled in an unexpected way. Would you believe it was by a little octopus in the remarkable Netflix documentary “My Octopus Teacher“? It’s a breathtakingly beautiful story of tenderness, of love, of our connection to the natural world, and of the indomitable re-generativity of our lives when we offer them in self-gift.

Funny how it reminds me of how Jesus lived, regardless of the critique always buzzing around him. Jesus rarely argued, kept moving forward with his message of love, and regularly slipped away to quiet places to pray and be renewed.

Can I let my soul be restored this Advent through an openness to meeting Jesus in quiet and unexpected ways?

—Jennifer Kelly is the Director of Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative Northwest, a work of the West Province and the Director of Formation for L’Arche Seattle.

Prayer

Jesus, I’m so tempted to be pushed and pulled by the feedback of others. When this happened to you, you kept your gaze steady on your beloved Abba. May I turn my heart and my eyes toward you, making myself more available to your guiding presence in my thoughts, my words and my actions. Amen.

—Jennifer Kelly