The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
Advent and the Seed of
Justice By Gianluigi Gugliermetto 12/11/2025 |
In the Western Catholic tradition, this time of Advent — roughly coinciding with the darkening month of December — is a time of imploration for justice. The faithful know that such a request is answered with the birth of the Savior, yet they are not spared from invoking such a birth in earnest. |
There is an already/not yet dynamic in place, as in many other cases in the Christian tradition. The fact that the Savior was born in Bethlehem does not mean that justice has triumphed, and yet it does mean that justice is possible. The seed of justice has been planted, we might say. |
Ordinary Time reflects on Julian’s assurance that “All Shall Be
Well” in the context of ongoing cries for justice. |
Advent liturgical texts — read and sung — are derived mostly from the books of Isaiah and Psalms, and especially from those portions describing the potent imminent action of God for a people in exile and exhausted, unable to find a solution to their miserable condition. Two verses in particular
encapsulate the true spirit of Advent: Rorate coeli desuper, et nubes pluant Justum! (Oh heavens, weep down, and may the clouds rain the Just One!) et Aperiatur terram, et germinat Salvatorem! (May the earth open up, and the Savior sprout from it!). |
The flower of justice watered by struggle: “The Journey We Traveled.” 2021 painting by Derrick Phillips, Sr., at Avondale Metropolitan Rapid Transit station, Decatur GA. Photo by Thomas Cizauskas on Flickr. | By conveying meanings apparently in opposition to each other — will the Christ appear from the sky or from the earth? — these two verses act synergistically upon the minds of the faithful. On one side,
it is true and unavoidable that the justice that we humans try to create on earth is radically insufficient, and we must implore the heavens to help us; on the other side, the |
“real thing” is only the justice which sprouts among us, from the very soil of the earth, and is embodied by people like us, made of such soil. Advent is a time to meditate deeply about such things, without necessarily looking for a solution. The paradoxical mystery of the presence and the
absence of justice should instead lead us to an inner transformation, a conversion of our thinking habits. Caro cardo salutis (the flesh is the pivot of salvation/spiritual health) is an ancient Christian motto which we could keep musing upon, in the context of the appearing of the Just One that is celebrated at
Christmas. |
The archetypal image of the seed that is planted in the deep earth in winter, only to germinate in the spring, is worthy of some meditation when we become unsure about the amount of energy that we can put into the work for justice. Especially in this darkening time — if we live in the Northern Hemisphere. |
In filtered sunlight, a sprout arises from the forest floor. Photo by Kiwihug on Unsplash |
A very deep chapter about our work in darkness, immersed in the via negativa, is found in Matthew Fox’s The Reinvention of Work, where he says that the source of things is a deep, dark mystery and that being is indeed born of nonbeing, surprise from doubt, light from darkness, joy from sorrow, hope from despair. Have a blessed meditation, dear readers, upon such dark, deep, and awesome things! |
Banner Image: “Peace, Justice, and Unity.” Mural by the Public Art Squad, 1984, at Pilgrim House, commissioned by Pitt St Parish. Photo by the
Jam Project on Flickr.
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Queries for Contemplation What touches you especially in this medley of Advent themes? If you read this
meditation while living in the Southern Hemisphere, would you care to tell us about your experience of Advent there? |
Responses are welcomed. To add
your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialogue, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments
field. |
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| Counterpoint: A Response to Peter Thiel’s Antichrist An Important Conversation with Matthew Fox and Gil Duran Did you miss this two-session series with its powerful counter-narrative rooted in wisdom, justice, and |
authentic spirituality? This is your
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PT January 14 - Creation as an Original Blessing and the Springboard of Awe and Wonder January 21 - Sacred Mother Earth: The Holiness of Creation and Recovering the Cosmic Christ January 28 - The Cosmic Mass, and the Stations of the Cosmic Christ: Reinvigorating Liturgy and Rituals February 4 - Jesus as a Teacher of Democracy and the Renewal of Education and Values through the “10 Cs” Register HERE |
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