Traditional Catholic Teaching - THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT

THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Who art thou?
St. John 1: 19.

"Who art thou?" The priests and Levites asked St. John this question, and we ought often to address it to our Lord, Who in His Divine nature is love, truth, wisdom and perfection, and in His human nature is our highest example. We ask Him this question especially during meditation, and I propose that we should now consider how such meditation may best be made.

We begin by choosing a subject for it, an episode recorded in the Gospel, or one of the truths of faith, or some point of morality important to us because of our position in life.

Having chosen a subject we place ourselves as vividly as possible in the presence of God, and, because every good gift is from above, we ask with childlike faith for His help to make a pious meditation in conformity with His will. Masters of the spiritual life recommend us also to imagine that we have the subject before our eyes, and that we actually see the events occurring. However, in the case of subjects beyond our apprehension and imagination, such mental pictures might be a hindrance rather than a help. Under no circumstances is it advisable to strain the imagination, and if it is difficult to form a mental picture in connection with certain subjects, we should leave it alone and go on to the meditation, which does us good because we use our understanding and will, not on account of the vividness of our imagination.

Our first business in making a meditation, after choosing a subject, is to think over it carefully and to consider its various aspects, so as to acquire sufficient insight into it and a true appreciation of its truth. It is important, in order to avoid any distraction of thought and excessive use of the imagination, to divide the subject into various points or headings, and to adhere strictly to them. For instance, if I have chosen the words: "I believe in God the Father" as the subject of my meditation, I may think of God as the Father, infinite in goodness, first, to all creatures, and secondly, to myself. Or I may say : "He is my Father in times of joy as well as of sorrow." Thirdly, He is my Father also when I intercede with Him for all my fellow creatures who need help, etc.

As in everything else, in this most important occupation of the mind it is essential to follow some method. If meditation proves unprofitable, it is generally because we have no definite method of beginning it and of carrying it out.

If, in thinking over one of the truths of faith, we feel ourselves affected by it; if we derive from it thoughts that enlighten, console and raise us; if we discover in it food for our minds, let us dwell upon it, giving free scope to our pious thoughts and feelings, and not minding if, by doing so, we shall have to omit one or other of the points selected for meditation, because our time is limited. Our object is not to meditate upon a certain number of points, but to open our hearts to be enlightened and warmed, and this can often be effected by one single word. If, on the other hand, after thinking for some time about one of our points, we are not roused or stimulated by it, we ought quietly to pass on to the next, not hastily or in a cursory manner, but with due deliberation.

When in meditation we think over certain points, it is not primarily in order to learn some facts about the subject selected, but in order to awaken pious feelings in our hearts. Such feelings and affections ought to be like a purifying fire, stimulating us to do right, and they are most beneficial to us. Such are, for instance, a true and heartfelt sorrow for sin, fear, confidence, gratitude, love of God, unfeigned love of our neighbour, and any other sentiment called forth in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who imparts what He sees best to each of us in meditation.

The third and last part of our meditation consists partly of good resolutions, which the feelings and affections aroused in our hearts prompt us to make, and partly of prayers in which we ask forgiveness for our sins and other graces from God. The good resolutions should, as I have often said before, not be too general. It would be too vague, for instance, to resolve in future to be obedient, patient, humble, etc. Such general resolutions are apt to be forgotten in the course of our daily life, and we do not think of applying them in the various cases where we might do so. It is better to form resolutions applicable to the particular circumstances in which we are placed: e. g., we may resolve to be charitable on some special occasion and towards some definite person. In this way we shall more easily overcome the enemy of our souls. The more we prepare ourselves for the temptations that are likely to occur during each day, the better shall we be able to resist them. With reference, however, to the good resolutions that we make in mediation, we ought to be on our guard lest through human frailty we are tempted to sin. It sometimes happens that thinking for a long time about the resolutions which we are forming gives rise to temptations, and, should this occur, it is better to resolve firmly to resist them, without thinking too long on the subject.

For instance, a resolution to be truly charitable in our dealings with some particular person may, if we think too much about it, only cause us to recall former unkindness and wrongs, and hence it is better simply to purpose to act kindly in future, and not allow long brooding over the matter to reawaken unawares any latent aversion in our hearts.

In making a meditation, therefore, we have first to think about the subject chosen, then to rouse ourselves to pious feelings and affections, thirdly, to make good resolutions and discover motives likely to encourage us to put them into practice, and lastly, we ought to conclude with prayer for help to carry out our good resolutions, turning with confidence to God the Father, to Jesus Christ, our Mediator, to the Holy Ghost, the giver of all grace, to our Lady, and to such of the saints as we particularly revere. Let us be careful to choose out one or another of our good resolutions and call it to mind frequently throughout the day, making it, as it were, the keynote of our conduct until our next meditation.

It is plain, from what has been said, that meditation is not nearly so difficult as many people suppose. A very ordinary person can accomplish it quite well; in fact, everyone is capable of thinking over his temporal affairs and duties, of putting them in order and of making resolutions with regard to them. Why then should we not all be capable of acting in the same way with regard to what concerns our spiritual welfare? Let us often spend at least a short time in meditation, so as to penetrate more deeply into the truths necessary for our salvation, exclaiming with St. Augustine, "O God, may I know Thee, and may I know myself." Amen.

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