Reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Advent

They call themselves “Aguilas del Desierto” — “Eagles of the Desert.” They offer food and water to migrants crossing the Arizona desert and search for the remains of those who do not survive the trek.

A priest who volunteered with the group tells of his experience in a recent article in the Maryknoll Missionary magazine:

“We were asked by the family of a 61-year-old named Thomas to help locate him. They had reason to believe he had perished while attempting to cross the border.

“Our group of 20 volunteers began the 15-mile trip into the desert around 5 a.m. We found clothes and empty water bottles, as well as graves marked with crosses. Francisco, an experienced member of the Aguilas team, also pointed out unmarked graves. We stopped to pray in an area where the Aguilas had found the remains of a number of people.

“Unfortunately, we were not able to find Thomas’ remains. We explored some caves of the hills, but found only clothes and blankets, as well as a little shrine people had left behind. We headed back around 4 p.m.

“My heart is full of gratitude to God for these compassionate people who show that all people, including migrants fleeing through the desert, are our sisters and brothers.”

The “Eagles of the Desert” are prophets proclaiming the coming of God’s Kingdom in their outreach and care to poor and desperate migrants. As John preached at the Jordan, we can only welcome the Messiah into our lives when we move beyond ourselves to embrace the hurt and brokenness, the needs and hopes of others; we can only realize God’s vision for humanity by confronting the greed and arrogance and bigotry that diminish our own humanity. In this Advent season, may we prepare to welcome God’s Messiah by creating a “highway” of justice and peace for him to enter our homes and hearts.