The Jews, seeking a Messiah, have to be one of the most determined people I know (besides Christians and our determined course of waiting for the Second Coming of Christ). For centuries, even before Jesus' time, to continue living out the Will of Adonai (the Lord) had to take tremendous determination. Here was a people that longed to see the face of God. Here was a people that had prophecy upon prophecy about the coming of the Messiah, and yet had not seen one come. Here was a people that lived by what was handed down to them from their fathers and forebears. With only a rich history and tradition, with only the handing on of a promise, with only their own experience of the Lord caring for them as time continued, they patiently waited in eager anticipation for the coming of the promised Messiah. In spite of and sometimes because of war, invading nations, pressure to conform to the world, etc., the Jewish people continued to live out their way of life, even in the face of death as a consequence. This took determination.
Determination is our will being in line with God's Will in our life. That is when we are the most strong willed of all! That is when we cooperate the most with what God has planned for us. That is when we can be at peace and contented and yet be ready to move forward and change at a heartbeat's notice, all for the Will of God. As with Awe in God's Presence, true determination calls us to let god and let God do His job. Then as we conform our will to His, then we can say with St. Paul, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.
So often in life, we don't see God necessarily in our lives, even though we are choosing to walk His path and are striving to do His Will. Determination helps us continue on in spite of not seeing the end. Of course, fortitude doesn't hurt here either, and the two virtues go hand in hand, as they lead us forward. St. John of the Cross always talked about the dark night of the soul, when for long periods of time, years even, he saw no fruits of his labours for the Lord, and yet he was still determined to go forward in faith that there was a God.
So, too, are we called daily to be determined in our life for the Lord, to use our wills to say yes unequivocally to His call to us. This determination will lead us to our destiny, which is eternal life with the Father in heaven. I have the faith to get there. I have the hope that it exists. And I most certainly have the determination to make it there, regardless of what this world throws at me. (And I pray that God is a bit easier on me when I need it, and a bit more stern when I need it as well...) Especially in this Advent then, let us continue to act on our Awe in God's presence by our Determination to do His Will in our lives as we live out our own waiting for the Messiah to meet us face to face, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Your friendly neighbourhood Catholic Campus Minister,
Eric B. "Graydog" Gray
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Alleluia!
Psalm 150:6