As we enter the beauty of the holy season of Advent in our preparations for Christmas, we renew our longing for the light of Christ to come into our lives and to come into those places of the world that are overcome by darkness. What are some ways we can reflect upon Christ the light in the season of Advent, especially in the context of the Eucharistic renewal that is taking place in the US Catholic Church right now?
We can think of some in our society who rather than wanting to be a source of light for others, they want the light to shine directly on them, showing them to be the star or the focus, somewhat like the way a spotlight shines on an object. They want to focus attention on themselves rather than share the light of Christ with others. Yet, when Jesus brings us light, he wants us to share that light with others. John the Baptist did not want to focus to be on him when he pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God to others. John exemplified humility, service, and sacrifice in the way he brought forth his prophetic message. Like John, Jesus was not concerned with accolades and honor. Jesus did not seek popularity. Rather, he humbly accepted his sufferings, his passion, and his journey to the cross.
Jesus emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant and being born in the humble stable in Bethlehem. In Jesus’ journey here on earth, he revealed aspects of the very nature of God. Theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar, writes: “It is precisely in the kenosis of Christ, (in his self-emptying), that the inner majesty of God’s love appears. Our God is most powerful, most creative, most redemptive, and most life-giving precisely because God is continuously self-emptying. Kenosis (self-emptying) is not merely something that God—Father, Son, and Spirit—does; it is who God is.”
This self-emptying of Christ exemplifies itself in the Eucharist. Pope John Paul II states in his apostolic letter, Dies Domini: “The Mass in fact truly makes present the sacrifice of the Cross. Under the species of bread and wine, upon which has been invoked the outpouring of the Spirit who works with absolutely unique power in the words of consecration, Christ offers himself to the Father in the same act of sacrifice by which he offered himself on the Cross.” Christ sacrifices himself to become the bread of life; that sacrifice is a gift to all of humanity. In this humble form, we receive Christ in communion at Mass and we adore him in Eucharistic adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. For those of us who receive the Eucharist, we receive the call to be servants just as Christ was a servant, to not seek to exalt ourselves and to shine the light of Christ, but to be bearers of the light of Christ to the world. In this way, we are called to perform works of mercy out of our faith. We are called to reach out in solidarity to the poor, the vulnerable, and the oppressed. In acts of mercy and in our outreach to the poor, we will find the presence of the Eucharistic Christ and we will find the light of Christ.
The book of Revelation states: “The Lamb is the light of the City of God, Shine in our hearts Lord Jesus.” As we enter the holy season of Advent, let us remember we are united as disciples of Christ through the Eucharist and through the light of Christ.
This Advent season, we will be sending out Flocknote reflections each day to help you on your Advent journey. Blessings to all of you on this first Sunday of Advent. Father Lincoln.
No comments:
Post a Comment