Walter Kasper, Accepting the Mystery: Scriptural Reflections for Advent and Christmas

“Against all wishes or temptations to restrict the horizon of human existence to what is feasible, manageable, consumable, the Christian celebration of Christmas gives language to the message of faith: human being, acknowledge the mystery that you are!”

This quotation from Cardinal Kasper’s Foreword (in which the last part of the sentence paraphrases a quote by Pope Leo the Great) to his new book Accepting the Mystery (Paulist Press, 2016) sums up the theme that runs like a red thread through this marvelous little book: Despite the relentless attempts of contemporary media to convince us otherwise, there is a transcendent dimension to human life. It’s not all about what you (or your favorite celebrities) wear or eat, where you live, and so forth. Nor is it about being in complete control of our lives. In his reference to the horizon of human existence, Cardinal Kasper is suggesting an important theme in the late Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner’s writings, which is that God is the horizon toward which all human existence tends. If we accept that, then (1) we relinquish the possibility of complete control; (2) what is “feasible, manageable, consumable” fades in importance.

The author has a magnificent gift for communicating profound thoughts in a way that a wide readership can understand (or I should say “audience”—these reflections come originally from homilies he has preached over the years). They aren’t “warm fuzzy” thoughts: In the first reflection he writes about that firebrand prophet John the Baptist, about judgment, and about repentance. And he applies the words of 20^th-century Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer about “cheap grace” to remind us that each of us is called to a repentance—a turning-around of our lives—that may not always be easy.

Cardinal Kasper is obviously a widely read, cultured man. Not only Bonhoeffer but also Greek mythology and other sources are drawn upon to expand upon or illustrate his thoughts.

On a practical level, this book is perfect for those who like to have a special book for spiritual nourishment during the Advent and Christmas seasons but who don’t want the commitment of “daily readings.” (Speaking for myself, I know that skipping a reading or two or three for whatever reason can make us feel guilty and then perhaps too discouraged to continue with the book at all.)  Here, in 64 pages, we have eleven reflections averaging about four pages each—easily manageable by a busy person who can’t commit to every day. Five for Advent, three for the immediate Christmas season, and three for Epiphany, the Baptism of the Lord, and beyond.

In addition, these reflections are so profound, so beautiful, so packed with meaning, I dare say that reading them need not be restricted to the Advent and Christmas seasons. So if you don’t already have this book, even though several days of Advent 2016 have already passed, go get yourself a copy. You won’t regret it.