Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Advent 10: PARADOX


I have always found the paradoxical wisdom of Advent somewhat confusing.


During this time Christians are remembering something that has already happened. (Jesus' Advent upon the Earth.)  We're also looking forward to celebrating the anniversary of that event (Christmas Day) which in addition foreshadows a future time in which Jesus will come again (The Second Coming).  And, at the same time we're recognizing that Jesus is with us right now (The Presence of Christ Within and All Around.)  We could further complicate matters by introducing the historic Jesus versus the risen Christ.

We're also called--particularly during Advent--to anticipate and await and prepare--but also to live fully in the present moment and to tend to business, spiritual and otherwise, with great dedication and concentration.

The church has dealt with this seeming contradiction in time through a deep but nonspecific formula:

Christ has died.  Christ is risen.  Christ will come again.

Now, thanks to Quantum Theory, we can let that whole conflicted struggle go.   For Quantum Theory is proving that time, as we have always understood it, does not exist. 

 

It turns out that the Church had it right all along.


Our ideas of the linear passage of time are completely wide of the mark; and in fact there isn't even any mark to be wide of in the first place.  In quantum theory all points of reference are possible, because the minute we observe anything it changes. Or they change. All at the same time.  In different locations.  And in fact, before we observed it, it (or they) most likely didn't exist anyhow, at least not in that form.

As if that's not enough, quantum theory postulates that time runs in both "directions" as we understand it.  Yes, the present influences the future; but the present also influences the past. The future can change the past.  And any other permutation we can think of, apparently.  With the emphasis on the present as the point of power, because at the end of the day that's all we've got, right?  Or maybe not.... 

This is mind bending, at the very least, but it has released me from my petty concerns about nailing down exactly how we celebrate Advent and Christmas in terms of linear time.  Actually, we could probably celebrate Christmas first and then have Advent afterward, if we just let go of our limited understanding of things.

I am chuckling as I write this, but truthfully the mysteries and magic of Advent have always been beyond knowing or telling.  Let go and let God indeed.

Science and religion, on the same page.   Who would have thought?
  

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