Emma Steil

Seasons of the Sacred

3/3/2020
Advent Autobiography Reflection

The paschal mystery is coming into experience of the death and resurrection of the lord.

It is presented in the season of Advent as it is a time of waiting for what is beyond the obvious,

behind the apparent and most importantly for the comings of Christ. The liturgical year opens

with Advent- a four-week period. During this time, we are preparing ourselves for the

resurrection of the lord through the three comings of Christ. In addition, we are allowing Christ

to live within us and for us to live and experience through him in the Scripture, Eucharist, and

the community, as we prepare ourselves for Christmas. Sacramentality, mediation and

communion correlate to the joy that is expressed in Advent. According to Chittister, joy is

defined as the deep-down awareness of what it means to live well, live productively, and live

righteously. During advent we learn the joy of anticipation, the joy of God’s presence around us,

the joy of the second coming of Christ. Joy is about living our lives immersed in the will of God.

As I reflect on moments of my life, one in particular connects to the way the paschal

mystery is expressed in the season of Advent. Growing up I wished each year on my birthday for

the gift of a dog. I became disappointed as each year would go by and my wish never came true

due to the fact I was not ready for the responsibilities that came with it. During the school year in

5th grade, each student was given the assignment by a company called Two by Two to take care

of a stuffed animal for a week following a sheet of instructions. By no surprise, I chose a dog.

My dog came with many responsibilities my parents were looking for; taking it for walks,

feeding it three times a day, and even an ear infection I had to treat. Although it was all pretend, I
showed my parents my willingness to care for this stuffed animal during that week. About six

months to follow, my parents decided I was prepared to withhold these responsibilities and I was

blessed with the wish I had been so long waiting for, my dog Bella. However, these duties I had

to take care of her lasted more than a week, they continue to last to this day. I have begun to

realize I could never fully be prepared, as each day brings a new set of experiences that are far

beyond responsibilities. As each day passes and a new experience comes about, I am reminded

of this lesson.

Chittister describes in the Liturgical Year that the season of advent is about learning to

wait. It is not about knowing exactly what is coming tomorrow, but rather what is beyond the

presence of today. It gives us time to slow down and think and is the sign of God alive in us. Just

like taking care of a dog, there is not a set list to follow. It is beyond just feeding, grooming and

walking the dog. Each day brings something unexpected and for that the importance of waiting is

essential. If we pass through things and do not take the time to slow down, we will miss out on

the essential dimension of spiritual development.