The Silent Stillness of Advent

Caryll Houselander, in her book The Reed of God, speaks of the invitation during Advent to be attentive to Christ growing within us as Mary was attentive to Christ growing within her. Noticing, paying attention to, and receiving a "growing awareness that Christ is being formed in our lives from what we are" compels us to respond to the impulse of love that rises up in our heart. Amidst all the ordinariness of daily life, we can possess a profound confidence that we are hastening toward the Father if we remain attentive to the reality of the life of Christ growing within us, possessing us. "It seems that this is Christ's favorite way of being recognized, that He prefers to be known, not by His own human features, but by the quickening of His own life in the heart, which is the response to His coming."
As a pregnant woman is constantly aware of the child in her womb, we are called by our Baptism - and given the grace - to be constantly aware of the indwelling Trinity. As we grow more and more aware of this indwelling presence, rather than becoming absorbed withinn ourselves, we are propelled in mission to serve our brothers and sisters, rejoicing always in the eternal life welling up in our heart. In these days of Advent, Mary desires to teach us to be aware of the Life growing within us, the Life being formed from the greatest poverties of our being, the Life that transforms every moment and every detail.

"Lord, I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word, and I shall be healed."

"The Body of Christ."

"AMEN!"

The Silent Stillness of Advent