Monday, December 10, 2018

Psalm 148, 149, 150 
Amos 6: 1-14 
2 Thessalonians 1: 5-12 
Luke 1: 57-68 

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest . . .my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

I can remember it as though it happened yesterday. After a time of discernment, on December 10, 1989 I converted from Judaism to Christianity. Unknown to me, it was also the second Sunday in Advent. As natural as breathing, Jesus’ presence permeated the room. Being overwhelmed with emotion, I cried profusely, my face drenched with tears. I audibly confessed, “I believe You are the Messiah,” and I asked Him to come into my life and fill me with His presence. With several slow deep breaths I seemed to breathe Him into my being and I knew at that moment—Jesus loved me. Since that day, I have never doubted His love. Four weeks later, I encountered His presence again—while driving alone in my car. As though He had been there all along, I sensed Jesus’ presence beside me—while continuing to drive, even as I shed hot, surging tears.

The encounter lasted for about 20 seconds as He silently communicated a clear message: I would never be alone again. Until then, I didn’t recognize how alone I had felt throughout my life—and I’ve never felt alone from that moment on. It took a few more years to connect to the Advent season of anticipation and awaiting the birth of Jesus, since I only related to the adult Messiah at my conversion. Then I could fully experience the season, and include the second Sunday as another anniversary date of my conversion. The peace and assurance of His love, and constant companionship, would profoundly influence the continuing spiritual journey of transformation, healing, and a call to ministry and vocation. Twenty years later, in 2009, my deepest desire since I was baptised—to give my life to Jesus, was formally realized when I made Life Promises as an Oblate of The Sisterhood of St. John the Divine.

–– Phyllis Beauchamp