Anticipation
I’m living in a state of anticipation, and it sure is fun.
There’s going to be a visit soon from my son, his wife and their precious six-month-old son. They live in North Carolina, and I don’t get to see them enough. I know their visit is going to be wonderful.
There’s the wedding of my darling goddaughter, which will be followed immediately by my 40th wedding anniversary.
In June, my daughter is arriving from Phoenix with her three adorable children, and an outing is planned with a dear friend.
Sometimes waiting is difficult. We’ve all been there.
But sometimes waiting is so joyful that it’s hard to keep your eyes from twinkling and your toes from tapping.
I’m in a Bible study with women in my parish, and lately we’ve been reading a book about Revelation, called “Coming Soon: Unlocking the Book of Revelation.”
It’s a heavy subject for a light-hearted group of Catholic women, and so far we’ve learned a lot.
The author has reminded us that the chapters of Revelation are filled with liturgical images: chalices, incense, hymns, altars and priests.
He quotes Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI who explains that “the book of the heavenly Liturgy” is presented to the Church as the “standard for her own Liturgy.”
The author says, “we can also identify the Mass in the very structure of the Book of Revelation.” There is the Penitential Rite, in which we repent of our sins; the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word, where the Scriptures are opened and read; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, where the Church is united to Christ through the celebration of the Lamb’s Supper.
My Bible study group has learned that “Revelation teaches us that heaven touches down on earth on the altars of our parish churches every time we gather for Mass,” and, probably – most importantly – we have been encouraged in our anticipation of Christ coming on the last day.
Years ago my husband and I planted a lilac bush in our back yard. It was about 15 inches high when we bought it. I don’t think there is any fragrance as lovely as the flower on a lilac bush, and I waited and waited and waited for the bush to flourish and grow.
It did, and today it’s taller than me. Its blossoms are as delicate and beautiful as crystals.
Early this morning, when I let my dogs out the back door, I decided to sit outside for a moment. During that early morning silence, I realized that my years of anticipation have turned into reality.
Every branch on that bush was heavy with a huge flower, and the aroma of lilacs filled my entire back yard. It was heavenly.
My life is quiet as I await the arrival of my family – and look forward to celebrating the wedding, the anniversary and the outing.
In the quiet, it’s good to remember the words of Micah 7:7, “But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation.”
Waiting for the Lord. I guess that’s the biggest state of anticipation of all.
