Maybe it’s just me, but I’m getting really tired of those prescription drug commercials on TV. Now I don’t watch a lot of TV, but it seems like when I do, there are more and more of these drug companies advertising their particular drug. And it’s not that I’m bothered by the dancing elderly people, or the guy playing with his grand-daughter and her dog, or the frisky couple sitting in two separate bath tubs overlooking a lake; what gets me is the never-ending warning labels within those commercials. Here is an example of one I recently saw:
‘Drug name’ is not for everyone. Call your doctor if you have unusual changes in behavior or thoughts of suicide. Elderly dementia patients have an increased risk of death or stroke. Call your doctor if you have high fever, stiff muscles and confusion to address a possible life threatening condition, or if you have uncontrollable muscle movements as these can become permanent. High blood sugar has been reported and in extreme cases can lead to coma or death. Other risks include decreases in white blood cells which can be serious, dizziness upon standing, seizures, trouble swallowing and impaired judgment or motor skills. Allergic reactions such as tongue or throat swelling occur rarely and may be fatal. May also cause aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations or confusion and should not be taken with alcohol for alcohol may increase these risks. Ask your doctor is ‘drug name’ is right for you. (I’m not so sure that it is right for me after hearing that!)
And it’s not just on TV. I had to get a prescription a few weeks ago for what my doctor called Reactive Airway Disease. When I got the prescription back from the pharmacy, the warning label was two pages long! These warning labels are so overwhelming!
Another thing that’s overwhelming is what happens this time each year. Suddenly we are faced with Christmas shopping, decorating and cleaning our houses, sending Christmas cards, mailing packages, attending holiday banquets, planning family gatherings, and the endless baking and cooking. All these and many other activities become our schedule for Advent and Christmas and invariably overshadow the real meaning of these seasons.
In today’s gospel (Luke 1:39-45), Mary teaches us that when we truly experience Jesus Christ, we will not be overwhelmed. When she received the baby Jesus in her womb, she became not only a recipient of the baby Jesus but also a bearer of Jesus’ calming presence. The presence of Jesus within Mary brought joy to Elizabeth and moved her to prophecy. She was filled with the Holy Spirit when she heard Mary’s greeting, and she cried out: “For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.” What a blessed encounter and inspiration!
This is the kind of experience Advent has been preparing us for these past few weeks – to be able to reflect the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives and to then be Christ to others. So how has that been working for you? If you’re like me, then probably not as well as you had originally hoped. There’s just something about the month of December that seems to make things frantic and hectic. There’s so much to do and not enough time to do it!
As crazy as this may sound, maybe each of us needs to be exposed to a virus so we can slow down and think about not only the coming of Jesus but also the constant presence of Jesus in our lives. This virus would be called the Advent Virus, and its warning label would read like this:
Warning: If exposed to this virus, be on the alert for symptoms of inner Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world. Signs and symptoms may include:
- A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences
- An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment
- A loss of interest in judging other people
- A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others
- A loss of interest in conflict
- A loss of the ability to worry (This is a very serious symptom.)
- Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation
- Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature
- Frequent attacks of smiling, laughter and good will toward all
- An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen
- An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend love to others
- An increased realization that Jesus Christ will completely change your life – if you let him!
Here is our warning label: Advent is almost done. Christmas is but a few days away. Don’t miss the mystery because of the glitter. God is waiting to touch our hearts. Take the time to stop long enough to let it happen. Christ is coming, and we wait in joyful hope and anticipation. Like Mary, let us be “blessed” to believe that what was spoken to us by the Lord will be fulfilled – that God is with us! May our spirits leap with endless joy!
