Advent 2024 Entry
As we begin the season of Advent, it is important to reflect on our attitudes; this season of the Liturgical Year is commonly associated with receiving lavish presents, and this is especially reinforced through the consumeristic nature of our society. However, there are more things to Advent than surface level correlations and as Catholics, we are called to “open wide our door and soul to the one who comes” by St. Ambrose of Milan, emphasising how important preparation for Advent is.
The word Advent comes from the Latin word ‘Adventus’ (arrival) and is a period of joy anticipating the birth of Christ. Since we are all made ‘Imago Dei’ (in the image of God), it is important to recognise Christ in the people around us. We are Jesus’ body on Earth: “a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ” (Corinthians 1:12). Finding Christ in people around us might seem like a difficult task, as it is hard to imagine Christ in everyone – not just people we perceive as kind and compassionate. So, Advent might be a time of reconciliation for some, to realise that you must treat everyone with love; this helps show God’s grace in others, reflecting God’s invisible love and making it visible.
Three key aspects of Advent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These do not necessarily have to be approached in the traditional sense – fasting, for example, might involve spending less time online or on unnecessary purchases. In Matthew 19:24, we are told that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God”. This shows us that we must set aside our worldly possessions and instead attempt to get closer to God through our actions, tying in with prayer and almsgiving. Jesus’ birth reflects this, as he is “laid in a manger” as there is “no place in the inn” in Luke 2:7. He is born into poverty, contrasting the privileged upbringing we experience today.
At times, we can have “no space” in our inn, prioritising the wrong things – upon birth, Jesus is “wrapped” in “swaddling cloths”. This represents Mary’s unconditional love – agape – for Jesus, and how he is immediately her priority; the Holy Family are great role models to follow, and this scene in Luke’s Gospel is a perfect example of how we should focus on our friends and family around us. The fact that this scene exclusively appears in Luke’s Gospel reflects how clouded our perspective is nowadays, neglecting the traditions of Advent – but this does not mean that we cannot start again. The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 teach us that if we start to act, no matter at what point in our life’s journey, and dedicate ourselves to God, we can achieve happiness. ‘Beatitude’ comes from the Latin word ‘beatus’ (blessed), showing us how creating God’s Kingdom on Earth causes immense happiness for us, and this can especially be seen through the three pillars of Advent.
For a lot of the year groups, mock examinations are currently taking place. This is an important, yet difficult aspect of the term. Prayer can help us to “not be anxious” and make our “requests known to God” (Philippians 4:6-7). We can voice all our worries to God and strengthen our faith; our relationship with God develops as He listens to our prayers and answers them. However, there are times in our life when we face challenges, but ultimately God has plans for us, ones to give us “hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). We are told to “take up our cross” in Matthew 16:24, so we must bear through our hardships and prevail, as God has great things planned for us.
By Gabriela Mocko (Year 11)
September 2024 Entry
‘A new academic year’ by Anouk Ferrer-Manak (Year 13)
As we begin the new academic year, we all have hopes and expectations for the year to come. Our hopes for the future can only flourish if we plant the seeds now, to become the best versions of ourselves in the process. Galatians 6:7 tells us that “a man reaps what he sows”, and this message demonstrates that the time is upon us to act now and see the fruits of our labour in the future. The past is irrelevant as this is a new beginning and we are all given a fresh start, so it is what you do now that will positively impact your achievements at the end of this year.
Currently, in the liturgical calendar, we are in Ordinary Time, characterised by the colour green, making this a season of growth – how will you grow this year? The word ‘ordinary’ doesn’t simply mean something common or usual, but from its roots in Sanskrit, which turned into the Latin verb ‘orior’, it means to ‘rise up’ and to grow. When thinking of growth, this brings up imagery of plants, reflecting how just as you would water and nurture a plant, this commitment mirrors the outlook needed for our education and the year to come. God called us to “till it and keep it” in Genesis 2, which whilst making us stewards of the land, also reflects the attitude of hard work we need to face the year with. The skills we can gather from this quote are those of dedication, care and determination, all of which are crucial ingredients for success in our studies – however, it is not just the end goal that is rewarding, but the process of getting there and who we will become.
Finally, Catholicism denotes that we all have a purpose which God has assigned to us. But what is purpose? It usually translates as your raison d’être (reason for being), however this doesn’t just mean what plans you have for your future but by achieving ‘human flourishing’ and becoming a fulfilled person. In Jeremiah 29:11, it states “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” We are all valued in the eyes of God, and our vocation or purpose will be revealed in time. We are shaped by our experiences and the knowledge we gain, so whilst this is a new chapter or new beginning, it is also a time to develop ourselves and further grow into who we want to be. There will be opportunities and challenges faced throughout the year that will put this into effect, so let us start the new year in hope of what lies ahead.