CHAPTER 1
Sunday of the First Week
Times and Seasons
This morning I celebrated mass for the first Sunday of Advent, marking the startof a new season in the church's calendar and the beginning of a new liturgicalyear. This afternoon I'm on my daily walk, heading down the hill from themonastery toward the downtown shopping district. From the window of the bigRite-Aid drugstore across the street, the Santa dolls and Christmas treeornaments greet me like old friends—they've been there since the day afterHalloween.
Storekeepers have a different calendar from the rest of us. They mark "seasons"by changing the merchandise displayed on their shelves: summer is replaced byback-to-school, which is replaced by Halloween, and Halloween by the Christmasholidays. Each year they seem to start the Christmas season a little earlier,hoping to squeeze in a few more shopping days.
As I cross Washington Street, the boxes of tinsel and the inflatable Santas thatI see in the Rite-Aid window ahead start me thinking about the deeperimplications of the idea of "season." When biblical writers wrote about a"season" they used the Greek word kairos, which is often translated "time," butthey meant a time for some specific purpose—an occasion or an opportunity. It'sthe word used in the familiar passage in Ecclesiastes: "... and a time forevery matter under heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die" (Eccles. 3:1–8).Paul writes to the Galatians, "So then, whenever we have an opportunity[kairos], let us work for the good of all" (Gal. 6:10). In fact, every moment ofour lives is a kairos, a sacred "season," a chapter in the unfolding story ofGod's love for the world. For a Christian, life is made up of millions of uniquemoments, each one a kairos, an opportunity that will never come again. Everytask we start, every decision we make, whether trivial or great, is a specialtime, a chance to build up the kingdom. Every encounter with another person is aunique kairos, a season for loving. Whether we're working, cooking supper, orrelaxing in front of the television, each moment is a part of the story of God'sloving presence in the world. It is all kairos.
"Time" or "season" in the Bible usually conveys a feeling of urgency, of anopportunity not to be missed. It is not surprising that the word comes up invarious biblical readings during Advent. Paul uses it when he writes to theCorinthians: "Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold now is the day ofsalvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). In this morning's second reading at mass, Paul tellsthe Romans, "You know what time [kairos] it is, how it is now the moment for youto wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we becamebelievers; the night is far gone, the day is near" (Rom. 13:11–12).
As I walk past the shops and glance into their windows full of Christmasdecorations and gift boxes wrapped to look like presents, they all seem to besending the same message: The "season" is upon us and we had better act rightaway. Interesting, I think, how the holiday "season" echoes Advent's biblicalkairos; both of them carry an urgent message, a challenge that demands animmediate response. The time to act is not tomorrow. It was not yesterday. It istoday, right now.
Since I'm great at procrastinating, the Advent readings sometimes unnerve mewith their warnings that the hour is at hand or that now is the time to risefrom sleep. This is especially true when it comes to spiritual things. I findhandy excuses: "I have to finish this project first, then I'll do my spiritualreading." "Tomorrow I'll get more serious about praying." "Pretty soon I'll haveto start to try to control my short temper."
As I continue to make my way past store windows filled with all sorts of holidaymerchandise, I see the store owners' message clearly. A three-foot high SantaClaus figure in a store window seems to be calling out the biblical warning:"Albert, it's the season!" Then a Christmas tree decorated with blinking lightssparkles its message: "This is the season! Act now!" Everywhere I look on MarketStreet this afternoon, the idea is the same. This is not a time for delaying.Or, as Saint Paul would say, "Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold now isthe day of salvation."
Reflection
Your life is made up of millions of unique moments, each one an opportunity thatwill never come again. How might you use Advent to make yourself more aware ofthese special opportunities in your own life? Is there some decision or taskthat you have been putting off but that you could address right now as aresponse to Advent's urgent call?
Sacred Scripture
"Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time [kairos] will come." (Mark13:33)
Rule of Benedict
Let us get up then, at long last, for the scriptures rouse us when they say: Itis high time for us to arise from sleep. (Prologue, v. 8)
Monday of the First Week
Holiday Music
I'm strolling along a crowded sidewalk on Broad Street across from the newPrudential Center sports arena. An amplifier is pouring loud rap music onto thecrowd passing the electronics store. Even though it's only the first week ofAdvent, I would really prefer some Christmas music. Of course, several radiostations have already started playing their traditional mixture of songs aboutsnowflakes and mistletoe interspersed with traditional religious carols andhymns. When the two kinds of Christmas music are mixed together like that, I'venoticed that the non-religious songs—about chestnuts roasting and partridges inpear trees—start to resonate somehow with the sacred songs and begin to echo thedeep religious themes of Advent and Christmas. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"starts to reflect the joyful longing that underlies "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."Sentimental songs like "I'll be Home for Christmas" start to pick up the sincerewarmth and love of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." The lyrics of "Silver Bells"begin to blend with the message of heartfelt peace and gladness of "Joy to theWorld."
As I continue down the noisy sidewalk thinking about Christmas songs, it occursto me that the act of singing itself is such a deeply moving human experiencethat many cultures consider it something sacred and mystical. I remember readinga creation myth that told of how the world was actually sung into existence.Then I start to picture the scene in heaven at the first moment of creation.Surely, I think to myself, God's words of creation could not have been simplyspoken like so many simple instructions; no, they must have been sung to anexquisitely beautiful melody. "Let there be light" was no spoken command butrather the first line of a spontaneous love song that is still overflowing fromthe Creator's heart.
As I keep walking, the sun is reflecting from the windows of some buildings onthe other side of Broad Street. I start to imagine the sun and the planets intheir silent march across the heavens, still echoing the divine song ofcreation, as do the birds and other animals with their songs and cries. All ourhuman music, too, is simply an echo of that first music that still resounds inour hearts: a raga from India, an Andean song played on a charango, acomplicated piece on a Senegalese kora harp. Each of these is an echo of God'sown voice on the first day of creation. So when we hear a holiday song that isnot about Jesus but about a winter wonderland, we can still hear in it theharmonies of heaven, traces of the Lord's own voice celebrating joy,contentment, and longing, the very themes the church echoes in her liturgyduring Advent and Christmas.
I'm at the corner of Branford Place, threading my way through a small crowd ofteenagers gathered around a pushcart, sorting through CD's of rap, hip-hop, andreggae. A young man is presiding watchfully over the scene as a reggae tuneblasts from the boom box he has chained to his cart. It's not at all what youcould call "Christmas" music or "sacred music." But as I turn left up Branfordplace toward the monastery, I think I can hear in its exuberance a faint echo ofthe first melody ever sung, the one that goes "Let there be light!"
On my way up the hill I start to hum a beautiful Gregorian chant tune, the songfor vespers in Advent: "Conditor Alme Siderum ("Dear Maker of the StarrySkies").
Reflection
Take a favorite Advent hymn and meditate on its words. Here are two verses of amodern carol first published in The Oxford Book of Carols in 1928:
People, look east. The time is near
Of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
Trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Guest is on the way.
Angels announce with shouts of mirth,
Him who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming
With the word, the Lord is coming
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.
—Eleanor Farjeon
Sacred Scripture
Praise for God's Surpassing Greatness
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with clanging cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord! (Ps. 150:3–6)
Rule of Benedict
We must always remember, therefore, what the Prophet says: "Serve the Lord withfear," and again, "Sing praise wisely"; and, "In the presence of the angels Iwill sing to you." Let us consider, then, how we ought to behave in the presenceof God and his angels, and let us stand to sing the psalms in such a way thatour minds are in harmony with our voices. (Chapter 19, "The Discipline ofPsalmody," vv. 3–7)
Tuesday of the First Week
Salvation Army
Up ahead, just outside the main entrance to Newark's Penn Station, stands a manin a heavy winter coat and a dark blue cap. Beside him, hanging on a tripod, isa red bucket labeled "Salvation Army."
I slow down so I can watch this interesting fellow with his pleasant, peacefulexpression set off by rimless glasses. Although the commuters rushing past don'tseem to notice him, he appears quite content to just stay right where he is, asif he knows that he's doing something worthwhile. He stamps his feet a couple oftimes on the cold sidewalk and gives his handbell another shake.
Watching him I start to think about how the holidays bring out people'sgenerosity: the Children's Christmas Fund, Toys for Tots, food drives, and othercharitable collections have been a traditional part of the holiday season forcenturies.
For Christians, however, bringing comfort to the poor and afflicted is not justa seasonal whim but is at the very center of Jesus' message. Again and again thegospels show him being moved with compassion. The story of the miracle of theloaves and fishes, for instance, begins, "At the sight of the crowds, [Jesus']heart was moved with pity for them" (Matt. 9:36), and the raising of the widow'sson starts with Jesus' being "moved with pity" (Luke 7:13). During this firstweek of Advent, the church reflects on various signs that the kingdom is alreadypresent among us; surely one of the most powerful of these is people'sgenerosity toward their less fortunate brothers and sisters.
Now I'm curious: will someone actually come by and put in a contribution? Justthen, a woman in a threadbare coat and an inexpensive knit hat slows down to putsomething in the red bucket, smiling at the man as he gives her a cheerful thankyou. The generosity of this woman reminds me that Jesus' point is not simplythat I should feel compassion for others. The holidays fill many of us with warmand generous feelings of "good will toward all." Of itself, however, compassionis not a sign of the kingdom; it is not even a virtue—it is just an emotion.Nowhere does Jesus say that on judgment day God is going to ask me how I feltabout anyone. Nor does he promise that the divine Judge will congratulate mewith the words, "When I was hungry, you felt bad for me; when I was thirsty youfelt sad for me, when I was in prison you felt awful about it." No, just ascompassion moves Jesus to take action—to heal, or forgive, or feed, even torestore to life—it has to move me to compassionate action like this woman's.
Her simple generosity reminds me that I will become Christlike then, not byfeeling compassion for a needy neighbor or for someone sick in the hospital, butrather by doing something to help. Saint Benedict reflects this idea in severalplaces in his Rule for Monks. For example, he warns that "[the monasterycellarer] must show every care and concern for the sick, children, guests andthe poor, knowing for certain that he will be held accountable for all of themon the day of judgment" (RB 31:9). He calls for actions, not just feelings.
A middle-aged man in a dark overcoat and a white scarf pauses at the SalvationArmy bucket. Reaching into his pocket he pulls out a small wad of bills, peelsoff a couple and drops them in. Another pleasant "Thank you!" from the man inthe blue coat as he rings his handbell a couple of times.
These generous people are good reminders for me to move beyond the mere warm,charitable feelings of "the Christmas spirit" to real works of charity. DuringAdvent we wait and pray for the coming of the kingdom, but the kingdom becomespresent on earth not because of the way people feel but because of the way theyact. If I want to help bring that kingdom to its completion, I will have to goout of my way, forgetting my own comfort and convenience to visit a sick friend,postponing my own plans to take some extra time with a student, and ignoring mypreoccupations to give encouragement to someone who needs it.
Just then, another woman comes by and tosses something in. The man with therimless glasses smiles his thanks. I realize that I'm getting cold standing hereon the sidewalk, so I turn from the man and his red bucket and continue on myway, encouraged and challenged by the generosity of three people who have justhelped make the kingdom a little more present in Penn Station Newark. Frombehind me, the sound of the Salvation Army handbell seems to follow me on thecold wind.
Reflection
As we await during Advent God's ultimate act of compassion, the coming of ourSavior, we have plenty of opportunities to be compassionate to others. Think ofone or two steps you might take to put compassion into action during Advent. Youmay want to ask God to point out to you someone who especially needs your helpduring this holy season.
Sacred Scripture
"Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passedby on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and sawhim, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him;and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged hiswounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal,brought him to an inn, and took care of him." (Luke 10:31–34)
Rule of Benedict
You must relieve the lot of the poor, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and burythe dead. Go to help the troubled and console the sorrowing. (Chapter 4, "TheInstruments for Good Works," vv. 14–19)
Wednesday of the First Week
Christmas Wreaths
The clear night sky is strewn with bright pinpoints of cold light that standagainst the blackness of space as I make my way back to the monastery from theschool's residence hall. I've just spent an hour helping a couple of studentsprepare for a test and then stayed to pray Night Prayer with the sixty-someboarders. Now I'm heading for the pedestrian bridge that will take me throughthe school to the monastery on the other side of King Boulevard.
