Letting Go

A Reflection on the Second Reading for December 12th, 2021:
Third Sunday of Advent

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Philippians
4.4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

“We should throw ourselves into God as a little drop of water into the sea and lose ourselves, indeed, in the ocean of the divine goodness.” –  St. Jane Frances de Chantal


I often think about this quote. The symbolism is so powerful — the idea of losing oneself in the ocean of God and being engulfed by the love that God has to offer.


St. Jane Frances de Chantal has a beautiful meditation called “Let Go.” Her quote above perfectly captures the essence of this meditation.


I visualize myself walking into an ocean, towing behind me, like buoys, all of the things that weigh on my heart. I use a net to gather more as I pull them through the water. And then, I offer them to God because, despite my human desire to fix everything, to hold onto everything, I know that He will hold me up in the waters as I let go of my buoys.


You may be feeling this way in the weeks leading up to Christmas — dragged down by the buoys of life, overcome with worry about all of the tasks you need to do before Christmas Day, the gifts you need to buy, the things at home you need to prepare. Perhaps you’re carrying a heavier burden because of the feelings this time of year stirs in your heart: missing loved ones, caring for sick family members, or being in a home environment that is turbulent.


I think this meditation is a perfect tool for reflecting on the second reading for this Sunday. Philippians 4:4-7 encourages us to not be anxious about anything, but instead, allow God to hold us in those hard moments.


I challenge you all — allow Him to take the buoys from your rope-burned hands. Take time for yourself in the busyness. Giving ourselves time to savour something as small as a special cup of coffee can remind us that, despite it all, God is there to carry the hard stuff for us. He’s got big hands and love as vast as the ocean.


You can find an adaption of St. Jane Frances de Chantal’s meditation here: https://beaheart.com/blogs/blog/how-to-pray-the-saint-jane-frances-let-go-meditation


May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding be with you.




Theresa James

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