December 7, 2015 | II Advent, Monday

Ps 25, 9, 15; Amos 7:1-9 , Rev. 1:1-8, Matt. 22:23-33

Psalm 25

He guides the humble in what is right

and teaches them his way.

My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Humility is found in the low places, which is also where I find guidance and liberation from suffering. It is my very resistance to life as it is that brings me to open my heart and cry out, "Help me, Lord!"

For me, humility has come to mean seeing clearly that sometimes I think I know better than God knows and, if left alone, I could orchestrate this life just fine, thank you. Sometimes there is an operating principle in the mind that says, "Life is not happening as it should." This approach to life never works. In fact, this approach leads me to more and more suffering! Surrender is where I find guidance and grace.

My wonderful teacher in India, Anand Mehrotra, describes the moment of Grace like this: "You have given everything, and you reach that moment of crisis where there's nothing left to offer and you cry out, tears come down, and then it hits you at that moment-Grace. Grace is here."

Could this be what Jesus was showing us when he cried out on the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

My own experience of grief tells me, "Yes, Grace IS here."

In this experience of Grace there is the understanding that life is always happening for me, not to me. Even situations I experience as rough patches offer the opportunity to surrender once again and experience the release into true support.

Blessings abound.

Millie Cain

Advent at St. Stephen's

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