Faith

As the sun begins to wane in the sky at the end of the first week of Advent, we are called to light the second candle. The faith candle reminds us of the faith of Mary and Joseph as they made the journey to Bethlehem. What a journey that must have been! Perhaps we all have our pilgrimage through the uncertain, along an unfamiliar path to a destination that we may not have chosen, but ultimately is where the universe needs us to be.

Faith is an interesting concept today and means different things to each person. I see my faith as a blessing, but I know there are those who find expressions of faith manifestations of irrationality, and others who profess their faith acts as the only way to salvation – it is all a very personal thing. I cannot imagine getting through all that life has thrown at me without my faith in a loving and compassionate God.

Tonight, in preparation for the second Sunday of Advent, I reflect on all the faiths in the world. With covid we saw how we can unite and that ultimately, we share a universal humanity and profess faiths that promote common values.  Perhaps one day faith will only be a strength and not a divider within society. If only ignorance was not shouted quite so loudly over those whispers of faith that stir us to act with kindness and love. Perhaps it is Faith in something beyond what can be explained that will bring us the gift of deeper self-knowledge and infinitely more compassion.