Sunday Gospel Comment

 

Alberic Jacovone OSB

Return to Articles and Reflections

YEAR B

Is 63,16-17.64,1.3-8; 1 Cor 1,3-9; Mk 13,33-37

Advent: waiting for the Lord 

The energy of Advent: In all Literature, some words are ‘loaded’, containing & convey not one, but many layers of meaning. As we tease and unpack them, we discover a surprising logic and a string of additional insights. In religious language, "Advent" is One of these words. It’s made up of two parts: ‘Ad’ and ‘vent’; and there are other words with a similar composition: in-vent, e-vent, con-vent, pre-vent... In turn, from ‘Ad-vent’ other words are composed: words like ad-vent-ure, ad-vent-urer, ad-vance etc. These words stem from the term "vent", which always implies the concept of a fan, generating a "Vent-il-ation". The term "Vent" (from Latin ‘Ventum) means "wind" with its dual connotation of: gentle caressing Breeze and frightful, dangerous, destructive Cyclone.

In itself, the word "Vent = Wind" is a mysterious concept, directly associated with the ‘wind’ of the Holy Spirit. John’s Gospel in 3,8 puts it this way: "The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit". But, even before it becomes a noun, "Vent" (Latin "Ventum") carries the action of the verb ‘Ventum’ from ‘venire’ = ‘outcome’ from the verb ‘to come’. This verb implies that an amazing deed has already taken place (has eventuated), is even now continuing to take place (is eventuating) in our lives; and will be realized (will eventuate) even further in the future. Out of this logic, the Season of Advent derives its creative meaning and impact every year. It’s a Season when we await and prepare with eager longing and joyful expectation, to celebrate the Lord’s Coming. He came to be born as one of us in Bethlehem on Christmas Day; We welcome His coming now & at the end of our life; finally, we await his coming at the end of time.

The relevance of Advent. The Season of Advent puts us in touch with the deepest forces of our life. Energies which had stayed dormant in us, come to jolt us at times of shock and outrage. Right now in our Western culture, we are experiencing a feeling of dread and uncertainty about the future. None of us feels secure and sure of escaping hurt. Consider the terrorist attacks of the Twin Towers on September 11, and more recently, of Bali closer to home, and right now, the closing of Australian Embassy in the Philippines, and the placing of armed forces on our Harbour Bridge, in the wake of terrorist threats: we are all called to be alert. As we approach Christmas, the warning of possible terrorist bombing, made to us and to other Western Countries is for real! So, it’s imperative that we Christians, assess the situation of our World and our Church: dealing with the forces of hatred; -if needs be- awaking from Western indifference (perhaps even arrogance!) in dealing with the world imbalance between rich and poor Nations. As a result, now some people respond with terrorism and religious fanaticism, and others persist in shameful neglect and vandalism of our world ecology. Caught as we are in the present world threats, let us assess all possible options & outcomes. Advent comes to us with its energy, awakening and Christian hope; as if to say: stop, count losses, reassess what matters in life and be ready for tough decisions and for changes. In this context the apocalyptic Literature of Advent is a marvellous well, out of which we can draw energy, endurance, commitments and sense of purpose: we too right now must be ready to face with courage the Coming of the Lord. "O come Desire of Nations, bind - in one the hearts of humankind - O bid our sad divisions cease - and be for us our King of peace" (Hymn).

______________________________________