We All Just Want to be Asked

I was planning to send out invitations more than a week ago but kept giving myself another day. Here we are approaching this season of ‘waiting,’ and I’m like—where does that fit on my calendar?!? But Tuesday night, I hunkered down: it didn’t give much turnaround time for some of the sooner deadlines, but I started sending out emails. I made sure it wasn’t too much of a cut-and-paste job—an actual name and a reference to some sort of genuine connection.

A few quick yesses arrived from those whom I knew I could count on. The next day was quiet (expected for our community serving our annual Thanksgiving Dinner & Boutique), but as I settled into the evening, another handful of yesses arrived in my inbox. More than I’ve experienced ever before, what was striking to me was the gratitude and joy in each yes.

It’s not as if they were bailing me out or feeling obliged because they had declined too many times before. Our parishioners expressed honor and privilege for having been invited. It’s the same humility we feel knowing God has invited us to the table of Eucharist. Contrary to how we refer to holy days, we are not a church of obligation—we are a church of invitation. And the ‘Amen’ we provide is in thanksgiving and humble affirmation.

But do we say ‘all are welcome’ and expect people to invite themselves? Sure, that works sometimes. Yet, what if we asked with connection, conviction, and specificity? This Advent season St. Monica is nearly back to normal with formation, fellowship, and service opportunities almost every day and evening, both online and onsite. I wish I could spend my time simply making personal invitations to each of you, but what’s going to work? TEAMWORK!

This Advent season, as part of our daily reflection, practice, or prayer—may we be granted with the resolve to run forth to meet Christ and bring people along for the journey. One amazing ‘yes’ is worth a thousand ‘no’s—I promise.