The 'Already, But Not Yet' of Advent
When Catholics speak of Salvation History—that is, the overarching story of God’s redemption of humanity—we understand this history to unfold in a linear, unidirectional “left-to-right” fashion. While this concept of thinking about time is not unique entirely to the Judeo-Christian perspective, neither is it universal. Many Eastern religions and philosophies think in more circular or cyclical terms. For example, in the Hindu belief of the reincarnation, the soul cycles through continuous rebirths in different physical manifestations. However, As Christians—and especially as Catholics—we believe that God created us uniquely as unrepeatable composites of body and soul. Upon our death, the soul is separated from the body, and in the final resurrection, our bodies and souls are reunited. As such the notion of reincarnation is not only incompatible with the Church’s understanding of the human person, but it is likewise incompatible with the Church’s conception of time.
Although time itself unfolds in a linear fashion, the Church’s liturgy helps us to see the great arc of Salvation History from the standpoint from the perspective of eternity, where time as we know it does not exist. The season of Advent is a prime example of the liturgies eternal vantagepoint. In this season, we recall the distant past, wherein the people of Israel waited with longsuffering for the coming of the Messiah. Why do we as Catholics today ask for our Lord to come when we believe that his Nativity, Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension already happened 2,000 years ago? The reason for this has not to do with the past or the present, but with the future. When we celebrate Advent today, we not only recall the ancient anticipation of Christ’s Nativity, but we anticipate Christ’s Second Coming in Glory. Though Christ inaugurated the Kingdom of God on earth, it has not yet been fully consummated. We live in a phase of Salvation History that has often been nicknamed the “already, but not yet.”
Although the Church’s liturgy strives to usher us into an eternal or “timeless” mentality in Advent, it is ironically a season in which we humans have a heightened awareness of time. December is a very busy month, and if we are to have any hope of reaping the spiritual benefits of this great season, we must be very intentional with our time. We must make a concerted effort to pray daily in an environment of interior silence.
As the clergy and staff of this great parish, we care greatly for the well-being of our parishioners, and we deeply thankful for you! As such, we hope to help you approach this season in an intentional manner. Please consider making use of the following spiritual opportunities:
+Confession: There is no more important thing to do in this season than to avail oneself of the great Sacrament of Reconciliation.
+Advent Retreat: If you are struggling to find your way praying in this season, join us for an Advent Retreat on Saturday, December 13th from 9:00am-12:00pm at St. Hedwig.
+Nordeast Catholic Underground: Spend an evening in Adoration and fellowship with other parishioners on Saturday, December 6th at St. Clement from 6:30-8:30pm, and hear reflections from a multi-talented parishioner, Joe Wistrcill.
+Advent Lessons and Carols: Come to Holy Cross Church on Saturday, December 20 at 7:00pm for a festive, candlelit evening of scripture, song, and fellowship. There will be beloved carols in English and Polish, haunting choral music, and a festive reception to follow. This year’s theme is Splendor of Eternal Light.
Come, Lord Jesus, do not delay!
~Sam Backman, Director of Sacred Music