From the
Pulpit
Homily
for the First Sunday of Advent (C) (29th November, 2015) on the
Gospel
Jer
33:14-16;
Ps
24:4-5.8-9.10.14 (R.V. 1);1Thess 3:12–4:2;
Lk 21:25-28.34-36.
Topic: Preparation for Christ.
The season of Advent is a time of
preparation for Christ. And people do prepare in different ways according to their
interests. For instance, in some parts of the world this period is the worst
for shopping. I still remember vividly my experience in the market. When I
realized that the money I had could not pay for all I needed, I decided to leave
some for another day. But when I made my intention known to the seller, he
looked at me intently with eyes filled with surprises. But behind those eyes I managed
to see an ocean of pity. And after a while he said to me: “Father, the earlier
you are ready for the ones you are not buying today the better for you”. I was
still standing thinking what could inform the statement when he went on, “Remember
that this is ending of November. By the beginning of December the prices of
things will begin to go up rapidly”. I plead you do not ask me whether producers
spend more producing during Christmas as well as what I did next because I
really needed those things. Again, very soon the queue of those who would want
to go for confession will also elongate. Examples of how people prepare for
Christmas abound but I limit to just two.
One wonders whether the Christ we
prepare for is still the one who is, who was, and who is to come, cf. Rev 1:4, 8. Christ is with us. Hence,
He said before ascending to heaven: “I am with you always, to the close of the
age” (Matt 28:20; Acts 18:10). He is
also with us in the seven sacraments but especially in the Holy Eucharist, cf. Matt 26:26; Mk 14:22; Lk 22:19; 1Cor 11:24.
He also said: “Little children, yet a
little while I am with you. You will seek me” (Jn 13:33) which implies that He was with us. We also read: “... the
Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down
at the right hand of God” (Mk 16:19).
And truly, Christ is to come for He said also: “... when I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may
be also” (Jn 14:3; cf. Rev 1:7). And
Acts of the Apostles read: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into
heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the
same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts
1:11).
We must bear in mind this Advent and always
that He is, He was, and He is to come. Hence His admonition in today’s gospel:
Be on guard so that your hearts are
not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life,
and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who
live on the face of the whole earth (Lk
21:34-35).
Dear friends, we ought to be prepared
always because He is, He was, and He is to come and He will punish all those
who are circumcised but yet uncircumcised, that is Christians who are not
Christians, cf. Jer 9:25. There is
need to be alert at all times, praying for the strength to withstand every
trial that might come our way and be able to stand before the Son of Man, cf. Lk 21:36.
Bible Readings: Jer 9:23-26; Jn 5:19-29; 1Jn 4:7-21; Rom 6:1-14; Rev 1:4-8.
Silent Prayer:
How prepared are you for Christ?
Let us pray: God our Father, thank you for the gift
of your only Son for our ransom. Help us to live lives worthy of salvation –
Amen (cf. 1Jn 4:9; Rom 6:13).
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