The India poet Tagore in his poem “Silent Steps” gives us a focus for our Advent prayer and reflection:
Last year I became aware that my voice was hoarse. I thought it must be from all the talking I do; my friends and family readily agreed! However, as the months went on my voice grew hoarser. I finally decided to have my throat checked. I had a friendly conversation with the doctor, and he told me it was probably caused from straining my voice. After the doctor examined me (sticking a camera down my throat), to his surprise and my shock the doctor found a lesion on my right vocal cord, and he suspected cancer. You know how this goes—feeling overwhelmed by the “c” word, a cacophony of advice from all interested parties, more tests, two biopsies, a second opinion, an obsessive internet search, and finally all the preparations for surgery.
There were many experiences of God’s presence during that time, but one stands out. After surgery I had to be completely silent for a week—that in itself required divine intervention. I decided it was best to spend the period of silence and recovery with my sister Mary at her lake house in upstate New York. As we were driving to the lake there was an eerie silence. Usually we both talk incessantly and sometimes at the same time. As we came around a huge curve in the road, there was a rainbow. It was one of those full rainbows. Mary spoke my immediate thoughts: “Look at the rainbow. It is a sign from God; all will be well.” Mary pulled over, and I took a photo with my phone. I experienced a coming of God on a country road in upstate New York. Over those next weeks I often reflected on that photo and once again experienced God’s presence and assurance.
God comes, every moment and every age, every day and every night, if we but notice and place our trust in him. Advent is a season to be even more aware of God coming to us and an opportunity for us to come home to God.
Sr. Terry Rickard is the Executive Director of RENEW International and a Dominican Sister from Blauvelt, NY.