Who has Your Back?

Written by Karen Thomas on Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent

This Advent I had the blessing of catching up with a childhood friend that I had not seen in 15 years.  While our childhood friendship was filled with playing games, having sleepovers, and listening to Bon Jovi, it also included a shared belief in Jesus Christ.  Our faith was not the center of every conversation and interaction, but it was an underlying connection that strengthened our friendship and understanding of each other.

As adults, we have both continued to grow in our faith through a personal relationship with Jesus and by finding God in our relationships and life experiences.  Coincidentally, we have both been thrown some health related curve balls, me about ten years ago and hers is a present day challenge.  As she shared with me her current joys and struggles, she also reiterated her  complete faith and trust in Jesus Christ and his plan for her.  This faith and trust is not blind, but rooted firmly in the knowledge that God is doing great things with her life.  She knows that she does not need to be afraid, because he will not let her go.   Her words resonated deeply with my own experience and reminded me that God truly does have our back and calls us to be Christ for each other so that we too can have each other’s backs.

In reading today’s gospel, I was most struck by the shared truth that Elizabeth and Zechariah proclaimed about God by naming their son John.  While their neighbors and relatives did not understand the choosing of a non-family name, Elizabeth and Zechariah proclaimed the name, “John” with strength and faith.  Rooted in faith and standing strong together, they beautifully cooperated with God’s plan for their family and ultimately God’s plan for the world.

I believe that for Jennifer and I, our faith in God will always be a shared source of strength and joy.  Despite not being geographically close we can still have each others backs.  

Questions for Reflection:
Remember a friend or family member who has had your back.  How have they supported you in your life and faith journey?  Say a prayer of thanksgiving for their presence in your life.
Reflect on how God might be calling you to share your faith with a friend or family member this Christmas Season.  Who needs to hear the Good News from you?

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Karen Thomas
Karen is a native of Southeast Michigan and a graduate of the University of Michigan.  Prior to her work at SMSP, she served and worked with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, completed an MA in Pastoral Ministry at Marygrove College in Detroit, and was trained in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd method of religious education.  She serves as the Campus Minister for Family Faith Formation and lives in Ann Arbor with her husband Mike and two daughters.
Email: kbthomas@smspnewman.org