A Christian Bucket List

Second Week of Advent – Saturday

Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 / Psalm 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19 / Matthew 17:9a, 10-13

An Advent Bucket List

In August of 2008, David Freeman, co-author of the book 101 Things to Do Before You Die, passed away from an accidental fall at his home in California at the age of 47. His book laid out a list of travel destinations and activities he and co-author, Neil Teplica, wanted to visit or do before they died. Freeman managed to accomplish nearly all of them. 

The movie, The Bucket List and a number of other books and websites also offer lists and descriptions of things to do before dying. They include anything from setting foot on all seven continents to skydiving, learning to juggle, getting your novel published and climbing Mount Everest. 

I wonder what a Christian “bucket list” would look like. No doubt, experiencing a deep personal conversion would be on the list. Perhaps some would list reading the entire Bible. Others might include making pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Rome and other sacred places. Maybe you’d include playing a key role in someone’s conversion to Christ and the Church.

But in light of today’s readings about Elijah, the prophet of fire

     – his words a flaming furnace,

        who three times brought down fire from heaven,

        who went up to heaven at the end of his earthly life in a chariot with fiery horses –

we might put at the top of our list, lighting the fire of faith within us. 

A story of a desert father might inspire an item for our list: Abba Joseph was visited by a man who sincerely wanted to grow spiritually but was frustrated with his slow progress. He prayed and fasted, lived in peace with others and kept close watch over his thoughts. He asked Abba Joseph what else he could do. Joseph raised his hand, and flames began to flicker from each finger as if they were candles. Joseph said to his aspirant “If you wish, you can become all fire!”

Elijah and John the Baptist were not people of half-measures, but were full of fiery zeal. Our preparation for Christ during these Advent days must be focused on becoming ready for the light of the world, and preparing a suitable place for the light’s flame to burn. Advent is about lighting the candle within and fanning the flame to full blaze as did Elijah, as did John the Baptist, as did Abba Joseph, so that it shines in all that we say and do.

• Light a candle – perhaps your Advent wreath candles – and focus on the flame for a few moments. Imagine that your soul is like that candle. What do you need to do to light the inner fire of faith in Christ and fan it to full blaze?
• What is on your “bucket list” from a faith perspective?