Without pageantry,
or pomp,
the Church initiates
its New Year,
Advent,
with ritual purple vestments,
and less than four candles afire
on the forlorn Advent wreath.
Light-up,
attracting buyers and profit,
forms searching lines,
like prospectors
uncovering productive lodes,
with light enough
to read the paper in any aisle
for a ten-block span.
We plead with Advent
to accept the Holy Year
for champion and ally,
with the blasting
of the sealed and sacred doors,
resounding like drums
assembling corps for peaceful parade.
The Holy Year of Mercy
requires a change of attitude
in Advent’s perspective,
as though our ears began working
for the very first time
to hear the announcement
of the Messiah’s approaching.
Our hearing wakens our tongues
to praise Emmanuel,
rejoicing in his glory,
dismissing the old reaction
of falling on our faces
while moaning the need for mercy,
for this Holy Year
provides God’s mercy
in surging rivers
engulfing all of us,
as though Advent,
with all its Messiah blessings
was occurring
this once and only time,
with mercy enough
to blaze the centuries with light,
confirming Emmanuel’s presence.
Let people find
the mercy view,
along with joy of heart
that opens to divine presence.
Our sharpest sensitivity
turns Advent time
to disciple drills
that sing the glory of mercy,
a year of drill and rejoicing,
for any with spirit big enough
to expand in mercy’s gladness.
Our Advent this year
will take all the year long,
not coaxing and praying
`for greater gifts,
but glorifying the Lord Jesus,
who made each thing created,
then was born in size
to fit in two cupped hands
of his earthly dad,
and moaned and wailed
as babies do,
to urge disciples sing in praise
and leave the begging moan and wails
for hungry babies,
rejoicing with Emmanuel
that God and mercy are with us.
December 2015
Bonaventure Stefun, OFM Cap.
See reflections from Ordinary Time here.
Also see reflections from the Lent-Easter series here.