Wednesday we will read one of my favorite Advent reflections from the great Abbott, St. Bernard of Clairvaux entitled “The Three Comings of the Lord”: “We know that there are three comings of the Lord. The third lies between the other two. It is invisible, while the other two are visible. In the first coming he was seen on earth, dwelling among men; he himself testifies that they saw him and hated him. In the final coming all flesh will see the salvation of our God, and they will look on him whom they pierced. The intermediate coming is a hidden one; in it only the elect see the Lord within their own selves, and they are saved. In his first coming our Lord came in our flesh and in our weakness; in this middle coming he comes in spirit and in power; in the final coming he will be seen in glory and majesty.

“In case someone should think that what we say about this middle coming is sheer invention, listen to what our Lord himself ways: If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him. There is another passage of Scripture which reads: He who fears God will do good, but something further has been said about the one who loves, that is, that he will keep God’s word. Where is God’s word to be kept? Obviously in the heart, as the prophet says: I have hidden your words in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.

“Keep God’s word in this way. Let it enter into your very being, let it take possession of your desires and your whole way of life. Feed on goodness, and your soul will delight in its richness. Remember to eat your bread, or your heart will wither away. Fill your soul with richness and strength.

Because this coming lies between the other two, it is like a road on which we travel from the first coming to the last. In the first, Christ was our redemption; in the last, he will appear as our life; in this middle coming, he is our rest and consolation.

If you keep the word of God in this way, it will also keep you. The Son with the Father will come to you. The great Prophet who will build the New Jerusalem will come, the one who makes all things new. This coming will fulfill what is written: As we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, we shall also bear the likeness of the heavenly man. Just as Adam’s sin spread through all mankind and took hold of all, so Christ, who created and redeemed all, will glorify all, once he takes possession of all.”

The first reading from Cyril emphasizes the living of our lives always oriented toward the final coming of the Lord. The early Christians regularly cried out the Aramaic prayer “Maranatha”, “Come, Oh Lord”. They not only expected His imminent return in glory, they lived their lives in that expectation. As a result, they turned the world of their age upside down. The second reading comes from the Second Millennium; the Church of the apostolic age had discovered that the coming of the Lord was not as immediate as they had thought after he had ascended to the father. However, they also discovered that He was Risen and alive in their midst as he promised he would be. They developed a way of living “at the ready”, expecting His comings. That great monk of the Western Church, Bernard, adds this dimension, the Lord is always coming to those who live their lives looking for Him.

Let us be numbered among those who stay awake, living at the ready, saying “yes” to all of the invitations of grace given to us during this wonderful season of Advent. May our faith in the Lord come alive during this Advent and may we live that faith more profoundly. Let us enter into Advent 2008 renewing our own faith in the One who has come, is coming and will come again? Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus, transform us by your love and make us a light for others who look for you.

Be on the Watch, He is coming!


- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords:

NEWSLETTERS »

E-mail:    Select Gender Male Female    Zip Code: (ex. 90001)

Today's Headlines Sign up for a roundup of the day's top stories. 5 days / week. See Sample