Wednesday Reflection
Midweek Reflection
8th December 2021
In the early Advent Scriptures we are invited to celebrate “Desert Days.” That is, we have an opportunity to meditate on the importance of the desert Look how often in history how people are drawn to those who live a life of solitude in the desert literally or in the desert of monasteries. The early Christians of the third century like Saint Paul, the Hermit and Saint Anthony the Great are very popular Saints in the Roman Province of Egypt and lived secluded lives away from the distractions of society. They lived in the desert, hence the name “Desert Fathers”. And yet they attracted so many people and disciples that St Athanasius of Alexandria wrote that,”the desert had become a city!” They strongly influenced the later Western Monasticism of saints such as St Benedict, St Bernard and St Bruno.
The desert, of course, is where John the Baptist lived. There, he carries out his ministry of preaching and baptising, both of these for the sake of repentance. Oddly, it is the desert and not the town centre that brings about a reversal of fortune. The desert is thought of as a place where little to nothing grows. Yet when the Lord comes, “the parched land will exult, will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song.” In Advent we are taught, if only we would listen, that through the Lord’s power “the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared”, and “the lame leap like a stag”. At the birth of Jesus, the gift is hope and new life to us all.
Monsignor Monaghan
