First Friday of Advent
In writing this reflection, I highlighted a lot of words and phrases around sight. In this set of readings, it became clear to me that sight, and more so our physical senses, how we navigate through the world, are gifts given to us by the Divine. With that in mind, what do we do with these gifts? What duties and responsibilities are given to us? As we prepare ourselves to celebrate the coming of the incarnate G-d, what does it mean to walk through the world with open eyes, eyes that allow us to see the ruptures and heaviness that shape our reality?
Teach us to see, O G-d.
Teach us how to use the gift of sight.
Blinded by our own dispositions, pride, and privileges, by systems that deliberately turn us away from the oppressed and marginalized,
O G-d, give us new ways of seeing.
It is through seeing that we are moved to encounter. Through encountering we are moved to recognize. We learn to recognize You, O Divine Creator, in whom and what You have created. We know that You are never far from us, but that every aspect of Creation reveals that you are ever-present and ever-laboring in and with our world.
You remind us that sight is a holy act.
As you gaze upon us, bestowing us with eyes that can see, illuminate us.
Illuminate our eyes and break open our hearts to the brokenness in the world, to the forces, powers, and principalities of systemic evil that are at work. Move us, Lord, sustain us, empower us, guide us so that we do not fall victim to the temptations of complicity and complacency.
Help us to look upon this world with new eyes, so that we can become the prophets that resist these evils.
Teach us the gift of sight, so that we can recognize Your presence in the world, and Your call for us to build a more just and loving world. May all our works reflect the goodness and love that You embody.
