Foxtrot & Latin

Ratzinger on Advent

Taken from Roman Miscellany

What is Advent? Many answers can be given. We can grumble and say that it is nothing but a pretext for hectic activity and commercialism, prettified with sentimental cliches in which people stopped believing ages ago. In many cases this may be true, but it is not the whole picture.

We can say the reverse, that Advent is a time when, in the midst of an unbelieving world, something of the luminous quality of this lost faith is still perceptible, like a visual echo. Just as stars are visible long after they have become extinct, since their erstwhile light is still on its way to us, so this mystery frequently offers some warmth and hope even to those who are no longer able to believe in it.

Advent is a time when a kindness that is otherwise almost entirely forgotten is mobilized; namely, the willingness to think of others and give them a token of kindness. Finally Advent is a time when old customs live again, for instance, in the singing of carols which takes place all over the country. In the melodies and the words of these carols, something of the simplicity, imagination and glad strength of the faith of our forefathers makes itself heard in our age, bringing consolation and encouraging us perhaps to have another go at that faith which could make people so glad in such hard times.

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Seek That Which Is Above (1986), pp16-17

Could you not watch one hour with me?

Irony isn't it. It seems that all of us are as busy if not busier over the holidays than over term time. True, the type of activity we engage in is probably more enjoyable (eg. catching up with old friends, holidays, two of the latter in fact, parties). But the hustle and bustle never ends. In our commitment to 'busyness', we often lose sight of God in our lives. And even worse, we become individualistic and stop caring for the needs of the people around us.

After the Thailand trip with Phuong and Van, I experienced a strong yearning to be with God alone after mass. For some reason, I felt empty and needed God to reassure me that I was heading where He wanted me to amidst my 'busyness' and lack of time for reflection. I went to the adoration room- something I haven't done in a long time. There is no doubt about the divinity of the host for John 6:35 says 'I Myself Am the Living Bread come down from heaven'. When we look upon the sacred host, we look upon Jesus. Jn 6:40 says 'Indeed, this is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life. Him I will raise up on the last day.'

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus asked his apostles to keep watch at Gethsemane and tells Peter to 'watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation'. It is in 'watching' or what we know as 'adoration' that we draw strength from God through prayer and reflection.

How grateful we ought to be invited to receive God's promises in the sacred host.

'I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.'

'I am the Vine and you are the branches. Whoever remains in union with Me shall bear much fruit for without Me, you can do nothing.'

'I have loved you with an everlasting love, and constant is my affection for you'

And the only little request that Jesus has of us for all the love He wants to give

"Could you not watch one hour with me?"


Your loving sister,
Julia :)