There’s something about Advent which speaks to the hearts of us all. Because Advent is two things. It is a season which is incredibly special. We await God’s arrival in the world. There can be nothing more unique and extraordinary than this. And His arrival, when it comes, is full of tenderness and love. He respects our humanity, coming among us a small vulnerable child. It is a time which is poignant, precious and beautiful.
And at the same time, it is a period which is very ordinary. Sat in the world in December 2022 with a war in Ukraine, a cost of living crisis and another winter of discontent, we can easily identify with John the Baptist in his prison cell. Last week John was in the wilderness confidently proclaiming the arrival of the Messiah, letting the Establishment know that Jesus was about to turn the world upside down.
Today, he is wondering what has happened to all his hopes and prophecies. Why is he chained up, a prisoner of Herod when he had expected God to begin His reign of justice and peace? Had he made a mistake? Was Jesus the Promised One of God Who is to transform our existence, “or have we got to wait for someone else?”
It’s the position of every Christian. We say we believe in God, that this God has entered the world and has decisively changed everything for ever. And yet so often the world can look remarkably unchanged. What’s going on? The Italians have a phrase: già, e non ancora. It means “already, and not yet”. And that is both Advent and the Christian life generally, isn’t it? Già, e non ancora. Let’s take the “not yet” part first.
Christianity is a religion of genuine hope and joy, while simultaneously being intensely realistic. There is no naïve optimism on the part of the authentic Christian. We live in a world where the consequences of Original Sin and personal wrongdoing are only too obvious. We are fragile and frequently disappointed. Scripture doesn’t deny that. The prophet recognises all those weary hands, trembling knees and faint hearts together with the blind and deaf, the lame and dumb.
We don’t live in a perfect world. That is why Advent is about the two comings of Christ: in the crib in Bethlehem and also at the Second Coming in glory and majesty at the end of time. James says: “Be patient, until the Lord’s coming.” Is that the Christian’s only response? This world is fundamentally flawed. Is that all we can do – to wait for the Second Coming like 2,000 years of Christians before us, trying not to complain too much in the interim?
No, that isn’t our only, or even our principle, response. To all those suffering infirmities or injustice, Isaiah says: “Courage! Do not be afraid. Look, your God is coming.” James has the same message: “the Judge is already to be seen waiting at your gates.” Già, e non ancora. This definitive time for the righting of wrongs, the punishment of evil and the rewarding of the just is at hand – if not just yet. God is exercising His patience to give us an opportunity to bring our lives into line with His love and mercy.
And still, in a profound and real sense, His reign has already begun and is present amongst us. Because Christ has already entered the world. He is here. “I am with you always, even until the end of time.” Christianity is not a “pie in the sky when you die” religion. It is here and now. Christ is with us in this fallen world with all its imperfections.
His Holy Spirit guides us in prayer to see the things of earth and the things of heaven, and to judge wisely. His Word consoles, challenges and inspires us. His example of service has inspired millions down the centuries to do what He asked: “Love one another, as I have loved you.” So many of the initiatives which have brought healing and compassion and liberty into this world have been the work of His disciples.
But Christ is more than a teacher and a role model. He is a Saviour and Redeemer, too. He is transforming the lives of the baptised from the inside by virtue of His divine power: His grace. He came to a crib 2,000 years ago so this power could pass through His human body to heal those with faith. Even in prison John the Baptist is given evidence of this healing ministry. He comes in the Eucharist on this altar here and now to so this power can pass through the sacrament to those with faith in our generation.
Only recently I was given evidence of this, witnessing the peace the sacrament of anointing to someone who was dying. This is the power of Christ. It is the experience of Catholics down the ages. It is già, e non ancora: already, and not yet. We await Christ’s coming in glory, His ultimate revelation, but He is here at work already – the cause of our hope and joy.
This homily was preached at the Church of the Holy Ghost & St Stephen, Shepherd’s Bush, West London, on the Third Sunday of Advent 2022
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