<p><em>Fr. Daniel Manger, O.S.B.<br /></em></p>
<p>The reflections on bible narratives raise certain questions in the heart at this season of Advent:</p>
<p>Are there similarities between Moses striking the Rock and soldiers striking the Jesus in the passion narrative? What about Herod wanting to destroy the child Jesus at Bethlehem?</p>
<p>All of these seem to provide a glimpse into the darker side of sinning toward the Divine’s desire to embrace us.  In our doubt and our anger and our hatred we turn away from the Divine.</p>
<p>What is the response of the One who encloses within all innocence? The symbols imbedded in the bible narratives hold a key that the truth is Love: Water flows from the wounded Rock that Moses strikes, blood and water flow from wounded side of Jesus, the child returns from Egypt to begin again. This is a pattern in the relationship embroidered by the activity of God and we cannot help but be moved by it to change our own conduct in metanoia.</p>
<p>The encouraging and sobering reality for us is that a relationship of Love in God cannot be put off so easily, for the more we strike the more God’s mercy comes toward us. The divine disposition of loving mercy defies our logic of human relationship and the attitude of “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth” that is so deeply imprinted in our psyches.</p>
<p>We no longer need to keep reinforcing cynical attitudes of revenge, retribution, self-hatred and condescension toward the many who hunger for their right to peace and right living in virtue.</p>
<p>This is a part of the Advent season. We allow ourselves to engage as we prepare for the celebration of our Savior’s return to our hearts.</p>