Pass It On!

A Reflection on the Second Reading for December 20th, 2020:
Fourth Sunday of Advent

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Romans
16.25-27

Brothers and sisters: To the One who is able to strengthen you according to my Gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith — to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

Thirty-six. This is the maximum number of words one should use in a sentence. At least, that’s what I was taught in my news writing class during my undergrad. In this passage from Saint Paul there is a sentence that has 78 words. Seventy-eight! It feels like Saint Paul is trying to get all his good news out before he runs out of time. These words do come at the end of his letter to the Romans so maybe he is trying to get everything in before he signs off. Just prior to these words he acknowledges and thanks the many disciples of the community for doing their part to keep the faith and wants to encourage and strengthen them to keep going. He’s passing on the torch… or rather he’s passing on the faith. Something all disciples are called to do — including me.


I have always considered myself a behind-the-scenes kind of person. I am most comfortable doing things in the background to support the work of others. Years ago, I was even called out during a job interview for saying, “behind the scenes” too many times. The position was an event coordinator for a non-profit. I didn’t get the job. As this memory came to mind, I wondered if my desire to go unnoticed as I did my work made the difference in getting the job. I had the skills, talents, and gifts to do the job well but maybe the interviewer saw me as someone who didn’t have a sense of my value. What I have learned in the time since is that there’s a fine line between humility and hiding. Often I wouldn’t give myself the worth that God has given me (in abundance!), because I didn’t want to be boastful. In my attempt to be humble, I was more likely hiding — and that interviewer years ago, knew it. In the early years of claiming my faith as my own and understanding my identity as a daughter of God, I continuously hid. Not in a blatant sense, but rather, I was building my relationship with God, but it was personal. I didn’t need to be showy about it. Other people did that.


Little did I know that I was showy about my faith. In my own way, I was then and am now, sharing the Good News of God’s goodness in my life through my actions, my words, and my choices. I was sharing “my Gospel” as Saint Paul did. And I was doing so because others shared their Gospel with me. So how can I deny that opportunity to someone else by not sharing mine? God counted me, all those before me, and those who will come after me, worthy of the gift of His Son. That Good News is more than worthy to pass on. And don’t we all need some Good News? Feel free to use more than thirty-six words.




Aurea Sadi

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