The Powerful Lessons of Second Grade: Faculty Advent Reflection for Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Advent Reflection. Several years ago my brother and I got dinner so I could listen to him share about his 30-day silent retreat. He was thoughtful and deliberate when describing what had taken place; a little more than a week had passed since its conclusion. “I guess the thing is,” he said, “the most profound, important truths are the ones you learn in 2nd grade. ‘God loves me exactly as I am.’ ‘Love people.’ Stuff like that.”

Faculty Advent Reflection

Today’s Mass Readings

“I give you praise, Father, lord of heaven and earth, For although you have hidden these things From the wise and the learned, You have revealed them to the childlike.”

Several years ago my brother and I got dinner so I could listen to him share about his 30-day silent retreat. He was thoughtful and deliberate when describing what had taken place; a little more than a week had passed since its conclusion. “I guess the thing is,” he said, “the most profound, important truths are the ones you learn in 2^nd grade. ‘God loves me exactly as I am.’ ‘Love people.’ Stuff like that.”

We have a tendency to add asterisks and exceptions to the simple things Jesus taught and embodied. He said be open-minded and warm-hearted towards others; to that we say as long as they vote like me. He said give to the poor; to that we say as long as we decide how they use it. He said spend time in prayer; to that we say as long as it fits with our schedule. He said every person belongs at the welcome table; to that we say someone else’s table. And when confronted with the gospel, we say, “well, it’s complicated, it’s just not that simple.”

This Advent, I invite us to take the 2^nd grade ideas of Jesus seriously. Let’s accept that we are a gift God has given to the world. Let’s be kind and love people. Let’s do the simple things. And let’s be vulnerable in prayer about where we are having a hard time living the gospel in its frank simplicity. Let’s have open conversations with trusted friends about where we could use some support and some challenge. Let’s put ourselves in uncomfortable situations that push into the kind of places Jesus likes to hang out.

Have a blessed Advent, friends.

Mr. Michael Finucane, Religion Teacher

Each day during the season of Advent, you will find advent reflections from faculty and students at Christian Brothers College High School. To find all the reflections, go to our Advent Reflections page.