In the famous play, Vladimir and Estragon spend days waiting for Godot. They do not know exactly when he was coming, how he looks like, why he is coming or why they are even waiting for him. They just know they have to wait for Godot. They are not even sure if the place and the time are the right ones where and when to do the waiting. But they after day, they come to the same spot to resume their waiting for Godot. In the end, they realize the meaninglessness and absurdity of what they are doing and decide to commit suicide. But even in that, they fail.
I am also waiting. But unlike Vladimir and Estragon, I know whom I am waiting for and why. I am waiting for the fulfillment of all my hopes. I am longing for the completion of my being. By very soul eagerly awaits like the Psalmist of old, I eagerly watch and await for the coming of the dawn, certain it will come to augur in another day:
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Vladimir and Estragon did not know how Godot looks like. I may not fully get to know and comprehend God because of His in-finiteness. But I know that He is the source of everything I treasure and of everyone I love. I feel Him in the care and love shown to me by others. I see His hand in the people who come into my life. I catch a glimpse of God when He walks in His garden the earth. The earthly beauty (kariktan) that surrounds me is but a glimpse (sulyap) of the utter beauty and goodness that is God (kagandahan).
Ikaw ang aking Tanging Yaman
Na di lubasang masumpungan
Ang nilikha mong kariktan
Sulyap ng ‘yong kagandahan
Advent is the season of waiting. It is not an absurd kind of waiting, like Vladimir and Estragon waiting for Godot. But it is watchful and prayerful waiting of the pregnant Mary as she awaits for the birth of her Redeemer-Son.
Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Matthew 24:37-44