Jesus comes to touch the weakest part

Reviewing yesterday’s hymn verse:

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

and ransom captive [Israel]

that mourns in lonely exile here

until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O [Israel}

Verse One of the Advent hymn (see yesterday’s reflection) makes us aware of the existential pain that permeates our lives. We are exiled from our true selves; we are held captive by things that keep us from a fuller experience of God; we mourn what we have lost as well as what we cannot manage to achieve on our own; our exile is lonely and marked by profound yearning for the coming of the One who can save us from our condition.

What I didn’t mention yesterday is that the condition described in the first verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is actually the same condition as that described in the first of the 12-Steps of A.A. and other addiction programs. In the first step, we acknowledge that our lives are “unmanageable” and that we are “powerless” to do anything about it on our own. 

Franciscan Fr. Richard Rohr and retired Cistercian Abbot Thomas Keating, among many others, have pointed out that the 12-Step program of recovery is so powerful and effective that everyone should have the experience of working the steps and that everyone is addicted to something that renders life unmanageable and powerless. It needn’t be a major addiction at issue. How about that temper, or that thin skin that causes you so much pain? How about your tendency to judge others by appearances, or your bigotry, or your need to see yourself as better than others? How about . . . . . ? A gentle but ruthlessly honest review of your own life situation can and will help you identify your own particular issue, the one that holds you captive, the one that you have been powerless to defeat. Jesus Christ comes to meet you at exactly that place.

May you be open to the grace he comes to bring.

As I make my way through the verses of my favorite Advent hymn, I intend to relate it to the 12-Steps where possible. I suspect that a deep prayerful study of the verses of the ancient hymn will produce real change, growth and grace in all of our lives. Please come with me as I make my way through this journey.