Reflection
Today’s readings remind me of a profound truth: “The word of our God stands forever.” In a world where everything feels fragile–where life changes, grief, and uncertainty weigh heavily, God’s promise remains unshaken. As we enter Advent, I can’t help but think about its themes: anticipation, preparation, and hope. Similar to Advent, these words can also be used to describe seasons I’ve lived through.
Not long ago, I was navigating post-grad life. I felt torn; ready to be home, yet longing for the place that had become my new home. Those months were challenging. I tried to adapt, to find my footing again, and in the quiet moments I would turn to God and ask: When will I be worthy of the things I’ve been praying for?
It was a season of waiting, of hoping, and of trusting, even when I didn’t understand the path ahead. Isaiah gives us this beautiful image of God: “Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs.” I find this image of God very comforting as there have been times where Christ has felt silent or distant in my life. But even then, he was carrying me with love and care.
Advent also calls me to think of those who are hurting. The marginalized, the sick, the grieving. Grief has touched my life in different ways. In 2021, my mom was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. Watching her go through treatment was one of the hardest experiences of my life; I had never encountered anticipatory grief before. As I helped my mom with her most basic daily needs–showering, eating, walking–the worries, expenses, and fears only grew louder.
During this time, God quieter–or at least that’s how it seemed. Over time, I learned to silence the noise around me so that I could hear His voice. I had to make space in my heart for peace, even in the midst of pain. Advent calls for personal growth and reminds us to prepare our hearts. Isaiah’s words, “In the desert prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!” invite us to clear away the obstacles in our hearts: fear, anxiety, resentment, even the belief that suffering means God has abandoned us.
Today’s Gospel reminds me that God seeks us like the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep. Life can make us feel small, unheard, forgotten, and at times overlooked, but with Christ, we are always seen and fully known. Choosing a life of faith does not exempt us from suffering. Yet, walking with Christ makes suffering bearable. It becomes redemptive, filled with dignity, because we are held by His compassion.
Advent brings hope: an end to suffering and longing, a future of restoration and joy. Until then, we cling to the promise that God’s word endures and His care never fails. As we prepare for His coming, I’m learning to trust that even in uncertainty, God is guiding us toward peace.
Izabel Solis
Executive Assistant, Theology & Religious Studies, Ethnic Studies