Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

1st Sunday of Advent (November 28, 2004)

Suggested Emphasis

"Let us cast off deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."

Salesian Perspective

There is a clear sense of urgency in today's selection from Paul's Letter to the Romans: an urgent appeal to "cast off deeds of darkness and to put on the armor of light." Paul is quite specific about these so-called "deeds of darkness:" According to biblical commentator William Barclay, they provide much material for our own personal examination and reflection:

Carousing -- being a source of mayhem and disturbance to others after decent folks would have retired for the day. In general, it is the practice of being a major nuisance to others.
Drunkenness -- being intoxicated -- literally, poisoned -- to the point where one loses all sense of reason, discipline and common sense.
Sexual excess and lust -- consumed with a desire for pleasure without any regard for the consequences or the impact upon others. Lacking even the illusion of following any kind of moral compass.
Quarrelsome -- unable to relate to others without provoking confrontation, contention or conflict. Always wanting to win or to be right.
Jealousy -- envious of the blessings or good fortune of others.

St. Francis de Sales tells us it is not enough to cast off these -- and other -- deeds of darkness. We must cast off our affection for - or attraction to - these deeds: "Although all the Israelites left Egypt in effect, not all of them left Egypt in affection; hence in the wilderness many of them regretted their lack of the onions and fleshpots of Egypt. In like manner, there are penitents who leave sin in effect, but do not leave it in affection." (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part I, Chapter 7)

Why must we cast off even the affection for sin, affection for deeds of darkness? "In addition to the danger of falling again, such base affections can powerfully weaken and weigh down our spirits, making it impossible to do good works promptly, diligently and frequently." (Ibid)

Advent is the season of hope: hope that the promise made to us in Christ will be fulfilled. This same hope requires that we seriously examine whether or not the deeds that we both cast off and/or embrace are helping us to make this hope a reality in our own lives and in the lives of others.

How far are we willing to go in our desire to live a devout life, that is, to promptly, diligently and frequently do what is good? If it is measured by turning away from sin itself only, but not from the affection for sin as well, we are simply not going far enough.

Michael S. Murray, OSFS, is the Executive Director of the Sales Spirituality Center.