Monday, December 14, 2009

The Advent of Advent



By Fr. David Robinson, S.J.


Once the turkey and trimmings of the Thanksgiving feast have vanished from the dining-room table, the rush and furor of Christmas planning begin in earnest. We find ourselves bombarded by an endless assortment of newpaper, radio, and television ads that promise the most rewarding venues for shoppers' bargains, and the 'best' ways to prepare for the great holiday of giving. The pace seems to accelerate daily, with an ever-growing perception that if we miss out on some opportunities for purchasing or partying, we have diminished our participation in the magic of the season. Of course, at heart we know this reckless rush to December 25th is a seduction and an illusion, a fabrication of marketing and publicity that holds no real substance in what we most treasure in life. How is it that we are so readily drawn in year after year, while knowing that what we truly want resides elsewhere?

Even the season of Advent, with its wonderfully poetic vision of the fulfillment of God's promise(s) becomes enmeshed in the mystery of the manger. We cannot wait to begin decorating house and church. We yearn for Christmas music to fill our homes and our airwaves. It is as if we have no use for the learning process of anticipation, no willingness to savor what is to come. Could it be that we have succumbed to the lure of instant gratification, even in the spiritual recesses of our own preparation for the miracle of the nativity? It is certainly no accident that Christians throughout the centuries have recognized the need for a deeply reflective period prior to the celebration of the two great bookends of the life of Christ--Christmas and Easter. We receive an invitation to slow down, if only for a little while, on our headlong rush to who-knows-where. When Jesus faced a compelling moment in life, it seems that he always made a point of 'stepping aside' for prayer and connection with the God who had sent and guided him. We can learn a lesson from his practice as we count down the days to the great feast that is the savior's birthday.

It is probably beyond the resources or capacity of most to suddenly put the brakes to so much planning and festivity this Advent season. Nonetheless, it may benefit each and all of us to take a few moments aside--in the early hours of waking to a winter day; at an opportune occasion when the day's preoccupations can be interrupted by a minute's reflection on the silent mystery that these days enfold; before surrendering to our time (often all too brief!) of sleep, when we can glance at the vision of future hope that these days symbolize. This is a season of receptivity and insight, a series of little gifts of wisdom that the Spirit provides to remind us we are more than our plans and strategies for a successful life.

Advent is a time of God 'coming to' us. It is not a timed race on our part toward the joys and activities of Christmas. We know that, like the sun which rises and sets every day, the miraculous vista of Christmas will arrive. As Christ has come, the celebration of his birth will also come to remind us of the giftedness of life. As Israel waited for the messiah, and as Mary waited for her time of giving birth, so we can temper our feverish movement forward. We can savor the gift of reflection and quiet, the enrichment of anticipating what is to come. It is not always a burden or an obstacle to wait.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The Season for Giving!


Please Consider Making a Tax-Deductible Year End Gift to the
Loyola Institute for Spirituality!

“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”- Luke 6:38

This year, we have been blessed to have served over 10,000 individuals! The demand for our programs has never been higher. Several of our classes have doubled or even tripled in attendance this year. However, our donations have been less that what we hoped for, a decrease from previous years. We pray that we will be able to continue to meet the growing demand for our services. Our program fees tend to be lower than other spirituality centers, because we are committed to remaining affordable and accessible for everyone, especially in this time of economic difficulty. Your contribution will help us to continue to provide life-changing classes, retreats, and events for ALL who are seeking a closer relationship with God. Please know that your gift in any amount is deeply appreciated!

To make a donation by credit or debit card, please call us:
714-997-9587

Thank you for your faithful partnership!