At the start of the new liturgical year, Fr. Paul Denizot offers three tips to make the most of Advent. It is a special moment to consider time in faith, and as a positive reality. It is also an opportunity to clean up old habits. Finally, Advent is an invitation to step back and turn to people.
To consider time in faith
For many of our contemporaries, time is a headlong rush, a kind of permanent acceleration. Moreover, for a great part, the future looks bleak. Advent calls to consider time in faith and to see it as a positive reality.
In fact, we are in the last days ever since the mystery of Christ Jesus’ incarnation, death and resurrection, like the Apostles stated, “in the last days …” (2nd Tim 3:1). It means that Christ’s final victory is achieved and that we are waiting for the full accomplishment of His victory and final manifestation, together with that of His Kingdom.
In these last days, the Kingdom of God is developing, alike the mustard seed referred to in the Gospel.
Indeed, the Kingdom of God grows slowly, in silence and invisible, until perfection, and fulfilment. We too are constantly growing. Let us not be afraid of time! For the time we are bestowed is not gradually bringing us to vanish. On the contrary, it allows us for maturation and love. Every minute provides the opportunity to love better.
Advent is therefore a privileged time to love better and to grow in love.
During Advent, clean up old habits
The period of Advent is a time for renewal, for we are all mired in old habits. Not only do they stick with us, they become ossified. As a result, our lives get overburdened.
Thus, Advent is a blessing because it allows us to reflect upon the ultimate meaning of life and hope. Namely: Jesus. Above all, Christian hope is not an idea, a concept or the “people’s opium “. It is a person: Christ Himself. Why not take advantage of Advent and rediscover the One who is at the heart of our faith? Why not take advantage of Advent and enlarge our desire to know and love Him? To let ourselves be looked at and loved by Him?
We often tend to see Jesus as a judge. Of course he is demanding, he challenges and induces. But this is due to His loves for us and His will to have us grow. However, above all, He requests that we accept his love. His gaze is upon us at all times, whether we are immersed in the midst of trials, and weariness, or in turpitude and sins, all of which, at times, seem to totally block out our ability to see. Yet, in the depths of darkness that can sometimes overwhelm us, we can find the definite light of Jesus’ loving gaze on us.
During Advent, let us re-discover the way Jesus looks at us. Let us welcome Him in vulnerability, meakness and youthfulness. And let us love Him with renewed faith.
Step back and turn to people
Let us not allow ourselves to be held back by the lassitude of life and prostration in the deepest part of winter. On the contrary, we are invited to fully live in the present time, for that is the time given to us for loving.
During this period of Advent, why not make an effort to be present to others? Despite weariness, let us see how to be present to one’s children, husband, wife, others.
This genuine type of presence is not tiresome. For it allows us to reclaim time and to receive it with gratitude. Time should not primarily mean efficiency, with endless to-do lists to be ticked off; if so, the real risk is to blow apart.
Advent is a great opportunity to slow down, to be truly present to others and put Christ back at the centre of one’s life.
