First Sunday of Advent
Prepare for his coming.
As we have heard so many times, the word “Advent” means “coming.” The Scripture readings at this Mass help us to prepare ourselves for Jesus’ coming.
A man was running down the pier, heading for the ferryboat, afraid he was not going to make it. He was a man of some status. a man who was concerned about his dignity. He wore a pin-striped suit, carried a black umbrella in one hand and a black hat in the other, with which he was waving at the ferry boat, and yelling at the boat to stop so that he could get on it. He ran all the way to the end of the pier, furiously jumped and landed safely on the deck of the boat. Very proud of himself, he straightened his tie, and recovered his dignity. It was then that he discovered that the boat was not going out; it was coming in to the pier.
Today, on the first Sunday of Advent, there may be a kind of confusion about whether it is about coming or going. Christmas is the celebration of Christ’s first coming 2000 years ago. But our Scripture Readings are about his second coming. There is a connection between the two. Jesus’ first coming was to redeem us and to accept us into his glory at his second coming. The Scripture readings are to help us prepare for both.
Today’s first reading from Prophet Jeremiah tells us about the background of Jesus the Messiah’s first coming. Jeremiah lived in the most devastating time in the history of Israel. He witnessed the Babylonian invasion, which brought with it the destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple that had been built by King Solomon. He saw many of his fellow citizens enslaved and taken into exile. Yet his words reflect hope and not despair.
His hope is based not on human capabilities but on God’s faithfulness to the promises made to God’s people. God would raise up a shoot for David who would bring peace and justice to Jerusalem. It is the birth of the promised one from David’s line that we wait for in the Season of Advent. The Gospel tells us that one day he will come in great glory to complete his work and to establish the Kingdom of God forever.
Jesus speaks about the cosmic occurrences at the time of the second coming of the Son of Man. While others might be crushed with fear by the devastating reality of the end of the world, the followers of Jesus will stand with heads held high, anticipating redemption. To be prepared for such a moment requires vigilance. Therefore in today’s gospel passage Jesus gives the same advice us: “Be vigilant at all times,” “Stand erect,” “Raise your heads,” “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy.”
A woman was in the mall doing her Christmas shopping. She was tired of walking through every aisle of every store to find the right gift for everyone. She was stressed out by the mounting debt on her credit card. She was tired of fighting the crowds and standing in lines for the check out counters. Her hands were full and when the elevator door opened, it was full. “Great!” she muttered and the occupants of the elevator, feeling her pain, graciously tightened ranks to allow a small space for her and her load.
As the doors closed she blurted out, “I think whoever came up with this Christmas junk ought to be found, strung up and shot!” A few others shook their heads in agreement. Then, from somewhere in the back of the elevator came a single voice that said, “Don’t worry. They already crucified him.”
Weariness from all the material things we are busy with in preparation for Christmas is because there is no spiritual component to it. Whereas, if we spend the time before Christmas by spiritually preparing and by showing goodwill to those in need than just concentrating on our own needs, then we will find fulfillment and spiritual joy rather than weariness, as we get closer to Christmas.
Messages: 1) Advent is a time of preparation for the feast of the first coming of Jesus at his birth, when we also reflect on Christ’s coming to us daily in the Sacraments (especially the Eucharist) and at the end of human history (the second coming). It is our special privilege that Jesus comes to us every time we celebrate Mass. The important question is: “Are we ready to meet him when he comes?”First Sunday of Advent
Prepare for his coming.
As we have heard so many times, the word “Advent” means “coming.” The Scripture readings at this Mass help us to prepare ourselves for Jesus’ coming.
A man was running down the pier, heading for the ferryboat, afraid he was not going to make it. He was a man of some status. a man who was concerned about his dignity. He wore a pin-striped suit, carried a black umbrella in one hand and a black hat in the other, with which he was waving at the ferry boat, and yelling at the boat to stop so that he could get on it. He ran all the way to the end of the pier, furiously jumped and landed safely on the deck of the boat. Very proud of himself, he straightened his tie, and recovered his dignity. It was then that he discovered that the boat was not going out; it was coming in to the pier.
Today, on the first Sunday of Advent, there may be a kind of confusion about whether it is about coming or going. Christmas is the celebration of Christ’s first coming 2000 years ago. But our Scripture Readings are about his second coming. There is a connection between the two. Jesus’ first coming was to redeem us and to accept us into his glory at his second coming. The Scripture readings are to help us prepare for both.
Today’s first reading from Prophet Jeremiah tells us about the background of Jesus the Messiah’s first coming. Jeremiah lived in the most devastating time in the history of Israel. He witnessed the Babylonian invasion, which brought with it the destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple that had been built by King Solomon. He saw many of his fellow citizens enslaved and taken into exile. Yet his words reflect hope and not despair.
His hope is based not on human capabilities but on God’s faithfulness to the promises made to God’s people. God would raise up a shoot for David who would bring peace and justice to Jerusalem. It is the birth of the promised one from David’s line that we wait for in the Season of Advent. The Gospel tells us that one day he will come in great glory to complete his work and to establish the Kingdom of God forever.
Jesus speaks about the cosmic occurrences at the time of the second coming of the Son of Man. While others might be crushed with fear by the devastating reality of the end of the world, the followers of Jesus will stand with heads held high, anticipating redemption. To be prepared for such a moment requires vigilance. Therefore in today’s gospel passage Jesus gives the same advice us: “Be vigilant at all times,” “Stand erect,” “Raise your heads,” “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy.”
A woman was in the mall doing her Christmas shopping. She was tired of walking through every aisle of every store to find the right gift for everyone. She was stressed out by the mounting debt on her credit card. She was tired of fighting the crowds and standing in lines for the check out counters. Her hands were full and when the elevator door opened, it was full. “Great!” she muttered and the occupants of the elevator, feeling her pain, graciously tightened ranks to allow a small space for her and her load.
As the doors closed she blurted out, “I think whoever came up with this Christmas junk ought to be found, strung up and shot!” A few others shook their heads in agreement. Then, from somewhere in the back of the elevator came a single voice that said, “Don’t worry. They already crucified him.”
Weariness from all the material things we are busy with in preparation for Christmas is because there is no spiritual component to it. Whereas, if we spend the time before Christmas by spiritually preparing and by showing goodwill to those in need than just concentrating on our own needs, then we will find fulfillment and spiritual joy rather than weariness, as we get closer to Christmas.
Messages: 1) Advent is a time of preparation for the feast of the first coming of Jesus at his birth, when we also reflect on Christ’s coming to us daily in the Sacraments (especially the Eucharist) and at the end of human history (the second coming). It is our special privilege that Jesus comes to us every time we celebrate Mass. The important question is: “Are we ready to meet him when he comes?”
