Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

A pilgrim takes a cell phone picture as Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 11. (CNS photo/Max Rossi, Reuters)

What are you waiting for?


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Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Amen, Christmas, Commentary, Feature

Have you ever seen a bunch of people standing in line and wonder why they were there? You may be heading in another direction to somewhere totally different, but you see the line and it gets your attention. You wonder what’s going on.

I recall such a scene recently in downtown Baltimore.

I noticed a crowd of people gathering with their cellphones at the ready. I got curious and whipped out my cell phone, too. I had no idea what was going on as I watched a mix of races, genders and ages all come together. Some were in professional business attire and others in casual wear. While a few people passed by without taking any interest at all, most people seemed to be attracted to the commotion. I saw the diversity and figured I might be interested in this, too. 

“What are you waiting for?” I asked someone in the crowd.

It turned out that a movie was being filmed in the city, and everyone wanted the chance to get a picture of the stars as they passed by. 

The truth is that I am not much of a celebrity watcher. While I found the movie set fascinating and I was curious about what movie was being filmed in our city, I eventually lost interest and went on my way.

Brothers and sisters, just as everyday citizens of Baltimore were intrigued by that growing crowd, I submit to you that as we approach Advent, someone is watching us as we wait.

Some may be minding their own spiritual business as they start to notice us. Perhaps they may get curious and, just like me near the movie set, they might ask, “What are you waiting for?”

Do you have a good answer? Do you have an answer that will invite someone to encounter Christ? 

Many of us embrace the public indicators of faith during Advent. In anticipation of Christmas, we decorate our homes and set up Christmas trees. We wear red-and-green clothing and even don ugly sweaters. However, waiting for Christmas is only part of the story. It is the Second Coming of Christ and his final judgment that completes the Advent season. 

We need to be ready to claim a stake in the Kingdom of God. The answer to “what are you waiting for?” is right there in our profession of faith. We are waiting for Jesus Christ, “who will come again to judge the living and the dead.”

Just as some in that curious crowd in downtown Baltimore were excited about seeing a celebrity, others were like me. My encounter was a welcome and brief diversion from the norm. I may have shared with some others, “Hey, guess what I saw downtown?” but it was hardly a life-changing afternoon. 

On the other hand, during Advent we will encounter not a mere celebrity, but Christ the King of Kings. That encounter will not only change our lives, but save our souls. Let us gather and get excited about seeing our Lord and Savior.

Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to continue to embrace the public signs of the season. Buy Christmas trees, decorate your homes and dress in festive attire. All these things are outward signs of joy and, thus, they please God.

But make sure others see that the source of your excitement is found in our Lord and Savior, the Word Incarnate. Perhaps, if we are excited enough as a faith community, someone else may get curious and that person may be drawn to Christ.

Let’s pray that we have a great answer when someone asks, “What are you waiting for?”

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