BE QUICK, BUT DON’T HURRY
“Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste” - Luke 1:39
Growing up in a family of sports fans in Los Angeles, there were lots of basketball sayings that floated around my home. One of my mom’s favorites came from iconic UCLA basketball coach John Wooden: “Be quick, but don’t hurry.” Coach Wooden was a faithful Christian who knew Christ as his “Master Coach.” His rootedness in faith is evident in his reminder for us to have deliberate urgency—quickness—rather than scattered frenzy—hurry.
I am reminded of Coach Wooden’s quote when reading today’s Gospel. Mary had just heard some of the greatest news in human history. With it in her heart, she hastened to share it with her beloved cousin Elizabeth. Mary was able to push aside her confusion and fright at the angel’s message to celebrate her divine assignment. By the grace of God, her fear had been replaced by faith.
I struggle with anxiety. I worry about whether I am making the most of today, whether I messed things up yesterday, and whether tomorrow will be any better. So, after reading this text and other Bible passages, I feel anxious about my anxiety! Mary was a teenager and able to find peace after receiving the world-changing news that she would birth the Christ child. Yet I battle smaller challenges at an older age! Fortunately, I can rest in the message of today’s first reading, “Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion … The Lord has removed the judgment against you” (Zephaniah 3:14a, 15a). The prophet reminded the Israelites that they could find joyous freedom in God. And God wants the same for me.
Pope Francis reminds us that “healthy haste drives us always upwards and towards others.” Not inward. I cannot rush God to fix my struggles with anxiety. And I certainly cannot fix it myself. So this Advent, I am hastening—not hurrying—upward to a closer relationship with Christ. With Him guiding my path, joyous victory is secured.
How is God hastening you upward and towards others this Advent? How can you move in that direction with the confidence of Christ?
Kemi Oyewole