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A Reflection for Advent from Martin Garsed. ALS
Dr Martin Garsed
May everyone be filled with peace, hope and trust
during this Season of Advent . We are sadly also shrouded by the Covid
pandemic, at times overcome with fear and uncertainty as we enter this period
of anticipation, looking forward to God' greatest gift, his incarnate Son,
Jesus the universal Christ who became fully as we are, human flesh living
everyday life.
It is a time for us to strip away the many things,
thoughts and attitudes that get in the way of our “active waiting”. Not sitting
about but seeking and exploring what this means for each one of us today.
The birth of the Holy Infant is God's gift of His
Kingdom, it is here.. He has come to dwell in all humankind, as an personal
inner treasure, in our own lifetime,
through our every stage as infant, child, young adult, women, men and as
elders, for all time. He comes to “fill the gap” between our loving Father /
Mother and us that was created by Adam and Eve at the Fall. Jesus comes to be
intimately in and with us every step of the way until our dying, when we return
home, reunited as one in The Holy Trinity.
The ancient Russian Icon above, depicts this
reality. Christ The King deep within his mother Mary. Occupying the whole of
her heart and body, her true and full self in her every day. This image is also
true for you and me.
We are called to acknowledge this reality in our own
life and I invite you to meditate on this reality with the meditation From St
Bonaventure below.
BRING FORTH CHRIST
1.
Conceive the Son of God in your soul. Allow the Grace of God to “seed”
Jesus in your soul and life. Reject evil. Relinquish your ego. Cultivate a
spiritual desire. Seek the company, counsel and wisdom of others. Beware of
those who discourage you.
2. May
the Son of man be born in your soul. “ Put into practice” the resolve to lead a
more devout life. Follow the desires of the spirit, solitude, contemplation and
prayer. Be sorry and repent of your wrong doing. Be of strong will, reach out
to, and teach others.
3. May
the Infant Jesus “be named”. Call upon, announce Jesus by name. For He is
powerful, grace filled, joyous, and glorious, the Saviour, yours and
everyone’s.
4. Go in
search; seek the Child (As the Magi did). Seek though meditation and
contemplation. Long for Him in your heart. Inquire about Him in prayerful
reflection. “He is found” when you confess your sin, listen to the teaching of
the Gospel and take the bread and wine in the Eucharist, do good works and
pronounce Him to others.
5.
Present Jesus the Son of God in The Temple. Take Him to the holy city,
Trinity and undivided unity, our GOD take Him to all people.
Give thanks to the Father, who gave you the seed,
and resolve to lead a holy life. To the Son who gave you the grace to put it
into effect (To be born and named) and to the Holy Spirit, whose strength keeps
you steadfast in your life of prayer and good works.
6. Glorify God the Father. Magnify God the
Son. Bless and honour God the Holy Spirit.
Taken from:
“Bringing forth CHRIST. Five Feasts of the Child Jesus”,
by St Bonaventure. 13C Franciscan friar.
When we look
forward to Christmas we have the nativity scene of The Holy Family in the
stable at Bethlehem. But Mary already
had Jesus within her being at the Annunciation and she carried Him within, as
her King, a painful treasure, all her life. Pondering on these truths from the
beginning right through to the foot of the cross, and beyond.
We are invited to do the same and not miss out on
this reality in these times how ever good or bad they might be for each of us.
HE is coming.
HE comes as Hope.
HE is coming whether you are ready or not.
HE is coming, so do not worry
HE is calling you to come to Him as he always does.
So will you greet Him ?
Will you prepare a place for Him ?
Will YOU offer HIM your love, or not ?
For it is in HIM we live, move and have our being.
AMEN
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