THOUGHTS FOR ADVENT

“We await the blessed hope and coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.”¹

This line, from the prayer that follows the Our Father during Mass, expresses the meaning of the Season of Advent. It is a season of hope at the coming of the Saviour. This anticipation arises not simply because we are preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ – it is a hope in the coming of Christ at that moment when, at the end of time, all things will be made new in him.

The thought of the Second Coming, the thought of our meeting with God at the end of our lives, might well instill a sense of foreboding and fear. Shall I truly be ready to meet the Lord when he comes? Am I not in need of repentance, perhaps a bit more time to try and find the right way? The answer to both these questions will, undoubtedly, be “Yes.” Perhaps a little bit more Lent might be appropriate, one might think.

In Advent, the Gloria is not sung and the vestments are purple – but “Alleluia” continues to be sung before the Gospel. No, Advent is not Lent. It is a season of anticipation, an anticipation that is eager and looks forward to the celebration of the Word being made flesh for us – and to his return at the end.

Perhaps there are things in my life that need to be addressed. The time is always right for a return to the One who was born, died and rose from the dead out of love for us, so we must be open to the path of renewal and conversion in Advent.

But, there is a looking towards the very reason for which we were created too – life in union with Christ; eternity spent in the love that exists in the persons of the Blessed Trinity. The thought of the destiny of the human person is one of hope and joy – for it is in this destiny that the dignity of the human person is grounded. All we do in our following of Christ is part of our journey to that destiny where all is love.

The Rule of St. Benedict has much to say to us about Advent. St. Benedict does not mention the season specifically, but the whole life of the monastic is one that is designed to prepare him or her for the Kingdom. The way demands perseverance and patience:

“Never swerving from his instructions, then, but faithfully serving his teaching in monastery until death, we shall through patience share in the sufferings of Christ that we may deserve also to share in his kingdom.” ²

Through fidelity and service to the Gospel, our hope in the Kingdom is realised.

The models for this fidelity, service and perseverance in the people we meet in the Christmas liturgy. St. Joseph, remains faithful to Mary, his betrothed, despite the implications for himself and the people amongst whom he lived.³ The shepherds, in their simplicity and service of the flocks placed in their charge, are the ones to whom the angels bring the news of the Incarnation.⁴ The Magi persevered in their journey, trusting in the star and so came to see the Saviour of the World.⁵

Mary is a particular model for our Advent. She not only heard the angel’s message – she listened to it.⁶ The message of the angel did not remain something external to her. She opened her heart to the news she received, even though she did not understand all the implications. Not only did Mary listen, she pondered.⁷ This continual reflection on the impact of the Word must surely be the model for us in Advent – for it is through our pondering on the Word that we come to know the true meaning of Hope.

St. Benedict reminds us, as he lists the Tools of Good Works, that we must “never lose hope in God’s mercy.”⁸ This Hope is central to our celebration of Advent, for it is Hope that enables us to persevere in patient, joyful expectancy.

It has been said that Hope is the virtue that marks the Christian. Hope is not optimism, for that is something that is simply human. Hope, on the other hand, is a gift, a virtue. It is a gift to us at our Baptism and we must pray to be ever more open to this gift, for if we find ourselves doing what St. Benedict warns us against – losing Hope in the mercy of God – then we lose sight of our very selves as people who are loved by the God who created us and who sent his only Son, born of the Virgin, to die and rise so that we might have life.

May this great Season of Advent be a time when we shall be ever more open to the gift of Hope. May we persevere in service, as did the shepherds, the Magi, St. Joseph and – in a very particular way – Mary our Mother. Through our openness to the virtue of Hope, may we bring the Gospel Message to those around us, that all peoples may “await the Blessed Hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.”

Rt Revd Richard Moth, Oblate of Pluscarden, Bishop of the Forces