Advent Reflection

Fr. Daniel Manger, O.S.B.

The reflections on bible narratives raise certain questions in the heart at this season of Advent:

Are there similarities between Moses striking the Rock and soldiers striking the Jesus in the passion narrative? What about Herod wanting to destroy the child Jesus at Bethlehem?

All of these seem to provide a glimpse into the darker side of sinning toward the Divine’s desire to embrace us.  In our doubt and our anger and our hatred we turn away from the Divine.

What is the response of the One who encloses within all innocence? The symbols imbedded in the bible narratives hold a key that the truth is Love: Water flows from the wounded Rock that Moses strikes, blood and water flow from wounded side of Jesus, the child returns from Egypt to begin again. This is a pattern in the relationship embroidered by the activity of God and we cannot help but be moved by it to change our own conduct in metanoia.

The encouraging and sobering reality for us is that a relationship of Love in God cannot be put off so easily, for the more we strike the more God’s mercy comes toward us. The divine disposition of loving mercy defies our logic of human relationship and the attitude of “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth” that is so deeply imprinted in our psyches.

We no longer need to keep reinforcing cynical attitudes of revenge, retribution, self-hatred and condescension toward the many who hunger for their right to peace and right living in virtue.

This is a part of the Advent season. We allow ourselves to engage as we prepare for the celebration of our Savior’s return to our hearts.
 
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Saint Romuald’s Brief Rule

Sit in your cell as in paradise. Put the whole world behind you and forget it. Watch your thoughts like a good fisherman watching for fish. The path you must follow is in the Psalms—never leave it.

If you have just come to the monastery, and in spite of your good will you cannot accomplish what you want, take every opportunity you can to sing the Psalms in your heart and to understand them with your mind.

And if your mind wanders as you read, do not give up; hurry back and apply your mind to the words once more.

Realize above all that you are in God's presence, and stand there with the attitude of one who stands before the emperor.

Empty yourself completely and sit waiting, content with the grace of God, like the chick who tastes nothing and eats nothing but what his mother brings him.