By. Fr. J.Lucas (2024)

BENCH – Metaphor for Advent

Many people – in the wake of realities like the pandemic, war, migration, poverty, violence, and climate disasters- are asking themselves; why is this happening to me? Why me? And why now? But the real question in life instead is instead: for whom am I living? (cf. Christus Vivit, 286)

It’s Advent, a season that is flooded with thoughts that remind us to practice patience. It is a season that teaches us to wait. It is a season that brings us to the reality of expectation. 

This season is followed by the festivities of Christmas but before we let go of our guard, could we take a moment, seat down, and wait? 

“Come mek we sidung a wait” could be the right theme for our busy society. 

Life is a big ‘waiting room”. It would be nice if not comfortable to seat on a bench and wait. This waiting would require silence. Silence to self. Silence to others. Silence to nature. And attentive listening. 

The bench – metaphor for advent come out of the “wellness bench” that was installed at Convent of Mercy Academy in Kingston. Students were encouraged to unburden themselves on it. 

During Advent, a bench will be provided. Not so much to be sat on but it is designed to remind us to create a space where we can retreat from the pressures of our daily lives during this season of Advent. It could be a space where you can journal your thoughts or talk to someone about how you are feeling. It can be a space where you can ask for help. It is a space where you can wait. 

This space can be literally a space in your house, office, or community.

This space can be mentally created, in your head and heart, to intentionally and consistently choose to take time and just be, and let off the steam. Space within.

This space could be an appointment with your priest/pastor or spiritual director. A trusted friend or family member, someone you truly trust. 

During the season of Advent, we wait. Christine McSpadden in her book wrote this about waiting, “we spend so much of our lives waiting; waiting for a new job or a well-deserved vacation; for love or an apology; for a test result or cures to kick in; for things to stabilize or to get shaken up.” But honestly, in what position are you waiting?

I would post this question to challenge your waiting; 

Will you be willing to sit on the undersigned bench? It may be uncomfortable in many ways. It may look ugly compared to your nice sofa sets. 

If you were given a chance to wait for whatever you are waiting for, how would you wait? 

What will your waiting look like?

Wellness bench at Convent of Mercy Academy: https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20221011/students-urged-unburden-themselves-new-wellness-bench