As is so often pointed out we often over look this season approaching because of the seculization of Christmas. Advent has been descibed as many things, a season of hope, preparation, a reminder of the end times. But how many have thought of it as a “sacrament?” But that was what St. Bernard taught as was succently stated by Thomas Merton: “Advent is the ‘sacrament’ of the presence of God in His world, in the Mystery of Christ at work in History through His Church, preparing in a hidden, obscure way for the manifestation of His Kingdom.” (Seasons of Celebration, Thomas Merton, p.61)St. Bernard believed this “sacrament” was all part of the Divine plan as revealed by St. Paul in the Letter to the Ephesians: With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (NRSV: Ephesians 1: 8b-10). Merton continues:
“This plan is envisaged not as a future prospect but as a present fact. The “last things” are already present and realized in a hidden manner. The Kingdom of God is thus already “in the midst of us.” But, the mystery can only be known by those who enter into it, who find their place in the Mystical Christ, and therefore find the mystery of Christ realized and fulfilled in themselves. For these, the Kingdom of God is mysteriously present.. . . “
“In (St. Bernard’s) theology Advent does not merely commemorate the Incarnation as a historical event, nor is it a mere devotional preparation for the Feast of Christmas, nor an anticipation of the Last Judgment. It is above all the “sacrament” of the Presence of God in the world and in time in His Incarnate Word, in His Kingdom, above all His presence in our own lives as our Savior.” (Seasons of Celebration, p.64)
As we begin Advent perhaps we can spend some time thinking about the season as St. Bernard has described it, perhaps even spending some time in lectio or prayer thinking about the “sacrament” of the Presence of God in our lives. In addition St. Bernard gives us three questions specifically that we should ponder that cause us to sometimes feel helpless and we should ask ourselves:
1. Why we are deceived in our judgments of good and evil;
2. Why our attempts to do good fail, lead to nothing;
3. Why we do not succeed in our efforts to resist evil.
Merton goes on to explain that it is the “presence of Christ that allows us to overcome these obstacles. By faith He dwells in our heart and shows us how to judge between good and evil. . . .He cannot deceive or be deceived. He is the wisdom of God, always ready to teach us. Yet in order to have His light, we must use the grace He gives us to turn to Him in our difficulties. By fortitude He strengthens our weakness, so that we can do all things in Him. He never grows tired, for He is the power of God, ever ready to revive us and lift us up. But we must call upon Him for help in our battles. Finally, He “stands for” us, He resists within us. If He be for us, who is against us?”
“The secret of spiritual fortitude is for us to abandon ourselves to Christ, the power of God, and then He Himself will overcome evil and deliver us from forces that we would never be capable of resisting by ourselves. This is the fortitude of faith.” (Seasons of Celebration, p. 65)
