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Homily for First Sunday of Advent
READ: (Isa 2: 1-5; Rom 13: 11-14; Matt 24: 37-44)
REFLECT: A call to Hope, come to the Light, be awake and alert…
Dear friends, today we are beginning the season of advent. We all know that advent is the season leading up to Christmas. The word ‘advent’ means ‘coming’. It is a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The advent season is an invitation to reflect on how we can prepare our hearts, minds and bodies and our homes as well for Christ’s birth in the world. It is a time of intense preparation in prayer, because Son of God is coming to pitch his tent amidst us in a human form. Therefore, it involves on our part personal, social, and spiritual preparation too.
During advent, we prepare ourselves spiritually for the anniversary of Christ’s birth. There are four advent candles set on a circular advent wreath, with no beginning or end. It represents and reminds each one of us God’s eternal and everlasting love manifested in Jesus. The advent candles are a reminder of God’s promise to us of salvation through Christ.
There are also different colors of candles used during the season of advent. It reinforces the meaning and significance of advent season too in welcoming Jesus on earth. The advent candles with different colors take us at the very start of advent, moving from repentance to renewal of life that we would experience by the joyful celebration of Jesus’ birth. The first two advent candles are usually purple, which marks the beginning of advent with repentance, contemplation and reparation for our sins. The third advent candle is pink which marks the unending joy that we would experience at the coming of our savior Jesus. The final white candle represents Christ’s purity and love.
Further, there are also four advent candles lighted during the season of advent on every Sunday. The candle of hope, candle of love, candle of joy and candle of peace is lighted respectively each successive Sundays during advent. Today, the first Sunday of advent, we would be lighting the candle of hope. It symbolizes a shining light in anticipation of the coming of Christ. It is usually a purple candle and can be called the prophecy candle. It represents God’s forgiveness of our sins.
Further, there are also four advent candles lighted during the season of advent on every Sunday. The candle of hope, candle of love, candle of joy and candle of peace is lighted respectively each successive Sundays during advent. Today, the first Sunday of advent, we would be lighting the candle of hope. It symbolizes a shining light in anticipation of the coming of Christ. It is usually a purple candle and can be called the prophecy candle. It represents God’s forgiveness of our sins.
So with these introductory points and basing ourselves on the liturgy of the word of God for the day, I would like to share with you three points of reflection, which will enable us to prepare well for the coming of the Messiah;
So with these introductory points and basing ourselves on the liturgy of the word of God for the day, I would like to share with you three points of reflection, which will enable us to prepare well for the coming of the Messiah;
1. A call to have hope:
1. A call to have hope:
Hope gives life a hundred or thousand reasons and possibilities to live; because, hope is the power that pushes us forward in life and it is an energy that runs though the veins of our bodies to go through and grow through the pains and sufferings of life. There are many who have lost in life have come up or have reached to great heights of life, because of the hope and confidence that they had in God or in them. God gives us graces and blessings, opportunities and possibilities to have hope in Him or have hope in life that we are gifted with, provided we are open and docile to the promptings of his sprit.
Hope gives life a hundred or thousand reasons and possibilities to live; because, hope is the power that pushes us forward in life and it is an energy that runs though the veins of our bodies to go through and grow through the pains and sufferings of life. There are many who have lost in life have come up or have reached to great heights of life, because of the hope and confidence that they had in God or in them. God gives us graces and blessings, opportunities and possibilities to have hope in Him or have hope in life that we are gifted with, provided we are open and docile to the promptings of his sprit.
Today’s first reading from prophet Isaiah is one such passage on hope that God gives to his people. It is a promise or hope that God gives to his people for lasting peace and happiness. The promise or hope that God gives through prophet Isaiah in a vision is that Yahweh shall dwell in the highest of mountains, where all the nations shall flow to it saying, “come let us go to the mountain of the Lord of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”
Today’s first reading from prophet Isaiah is one such passage on hope that God gives to his people. It is a promise or hope that God gives to his people for lasting peace and happiness. The promise or hope that God gives through prophet Isaiah in a vision is that Yahweh shall dwell in the highest of mountains, where all the nations shall flow to it saying, “come let us go to the mountain of the Lord of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”
In the passage Isaiah describes what will take place “in the last days,” a phrase that is filled with eschatological significance in this context. This new era will inaugurate a series of new relationships between God and his dwelling place in Zion, God and the people who come to hear him teach, and God and various warring nations. God will transform the present world by his presence, his teaching, and his just judgment. Here, the important thing about Zion and city of Jerusalem is the reputation that it obtains because of Yahweh’s dwelling. It is Yahweh’s house, the temple, which stands out. And that is important because God is present and active there. Yahweh’s presence in the Temple lifts its importance to supremacy. This supremacy has nothing to do with Israel or Judah, their kings or leaders rather purely because Yahweh is there, thereby Zion attracts the nations.
In the passage Isaiah describes what will take place “in the last days,” a phrase that is filled with eschatological significance in this context. This new era will inaugurate a series of new relationships between God and his dwelling place in Zion, God and the people who come to hear him teach, and God and various warring nations. God will transform the present world by his presence, his teaching, and his just judgment. Here, the important thing about Zion and city of Jerusalem is the reputation that it obtains because of Yahweh’s dwelling. It is Yahweh’s house, the temple, which stands out. And that is important because God is present and active there. Yahweh’s presence in the Temple lifts its importance to supremacy. This supremacy has nothing to do with Israel or Judah, their kings or leaders rather purely because Yahweh is there, thereby Zion attracts the nations.
We see here the glimmer of hope that God gives to the people Israel to realize the love that he has for them and wishes that they abide in the laws of God, listen to his words, walk in the light and walk towards the light which God has prepared or has in store for them. God is always in search of his people, coming after us again and again. It is because of the unconditional love that God has for his people Israel, his chosen one and today we all of us his children.
We see here the glimmer of hope that God gives to the people Israel to realize the love that he has for them and wishes that they abide in the laws of God, listen to his words, walk in the light and walk towards the light which God has prepared or has in store for them. God is always in search of his people, coming after us again and again. It is because of the unconditional love that God has for his people Israel, his chosen one and today we all of us his children.
In our life too, God gives us not only handful of opportunities rather ample opportunities to have hope in his love and care. It is we who refuse to make a dwelling for God in heart; it is we who refuse to walk in his laws and decrees; it is we refuse to listen to his voice; it is we who refuse to turn to him for fullness of life. But if we hope in God, there will be certainly full of scope for us to grow as his children. So let us walk with hope in God, God will make us walk though the life that we live or chosen.
In our life too, God gives us not only handful of opportunities rather ample opportunities to have hope in his love and care. It is we who refuse to make a dwelling for God in heart; it is we who refuse to walk in his laws and decrees; it is we refuse to listen to his voice; it is we who refuse to turn to him for fullness of life. But if we hope in God, there will be certainly full of scope for us to grow as his children. So let us walk with hope in God, God will make us walk though the life that we live or chosen.
2. A call to come to the light:
2. A call to come to the light:
Light always shines for those who wish to see or come forward in life or grow in life. We know the purpose of any light for that matter; it dispels darkness and makes radiance and brightness permeate the space or place, so that things can be seen clearly and properly. Today most of us do not want to come to the light because we have taken delight in the dark elements or dark sides of life. Darkness makes things difficult to notice, difficult to see it clearly. The entanglement in the dark is so tough that we even get frightened of the dark. That’s what can happen to each one of us. Just as darkness brings in fear, so also the dark element or dark sides of life brings in fear, disinterestedness, hopelessness, desperation, distress and makes life miserable and disgusting.
Light always shines for those who wish to see or come forward in life or grow in life. We know the purpose of any light for that matter; it dispels darkness and makes radiance and brightness permeate the space or place, so that things can be seen clearly and properly. Today most of us do not want to come to the light because we have taken delight in the dark elements or dark sides of life. Darkness makes things difficult to notice, difficult to see it clearly. The entanglement in the dark is so tough that we even get frightened of the dark. That’s what can happen to each one of us. Just as darkness brings in fear, so also the dark element or dark sides of life brings in fear, disinterestedness, hopelessness, desperation, distress and makes life miserable and disgusting.
The second reading from the letter to the Romans gives us a reminder that we need to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. The number of dark spots that are listed in the second reading are the following; immoral acts, indecent behaviors, drunkenness, promiscuity or licentiousness, quarrel or fight, jealousy and all that gratifies the desires of the flesh. Yes, today these are dark spots or dark sides of human life, wherein most of us are caught up with and are unable to get rid of. We are unable to come out of the desires of the flesh, desires of our minds and spirit, because we feel it as delightful and joyful. But in actuality, they are all just vicious circles that can make our mind, body, spirit, flesh weak and feeble that we wouldn’t be able to move towards God.
The second reading from the letter to the Romans gives us a reminder that we need to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. The number of dark spots that are listed in the second reading are the following; immoral acts, indecent behaviors, drunkenness, promiscuity or licentiousness, quarrel or fight, jealousy and all that gratifies the desires of the flesh. Yes, today these are dark spots or dark sides of human life, wherein most of us are caught up with and are unable to get rid of. We are unable to come out of the desires of the flesh, desires of our minds and spirit, because we feel it as delightful and joyful. But in actuality, they are all just vicious circles that can make our mind, body, spirit, flesh weak and feeble that we wouldn’t be able to move towards God.
Today whether the sunlight or moonlight might fail but Jesus the eternal light always shines for us and he never fails to let his light shine for all, because he wants all of us to be the children of light than darkness. So let us make earnest efforts to move towards that light, the light that gives warmth, the light makes our life better and brighter, the light which brightens the path of others and oneself to see the light of Christ in us.
Today whether the sunlight or moonlight might fail but Jesus the eternal light always shines for us and he never fails to let his light shine for all, because he wants all of us to be the children of light than darkness. So let us make earnest efforts to move towards that light, the light that gives warmth, the light makes our life better and brighter, the light which brightens the path of others and oneself to see the light of Christ in us.
3. A call to be alert and awake:
3. A call to be alert and awake:
The advent season invites us to be alert and awake. Being alert and awake would mean that we are watchful and careful about the happenings in and around us, the situations that we are in. Being alert and awake would mean that we are conscious of ourselves who we are and where we want to move towards to. Being alert and awake would mean that we don’t while away the time in slumber and laziness. Being awake and alert would mean that we are ready and open to new possibilities and new ways of learning and growing. Being alert and awake would mean as well that we are attentive to the voice of God in listening and responding and to others in their need reaching out to them quickly and meeting out their needs in ways that we can.
The advent season invites us to be alert and awake. Being alert and awake would mean that we are watchful and careful about the happenings in and around us, the situations that we are in. Being alert and awake would mean that we are conscious of ourselves who we are and where we want to move towards to. Being alert and awake would mean that we don’t while away the time in slumber and laziness. Being awake and alert would mean that we are ready and open to new possibilities and new ways of learning and growing. Being alert and awake would mean as well that we are attentive to the voice of God in listening and responding and to others in their need reaching out to them quickly and meeting out their needs in ways that we can.
That’s what we read in the Gospel reading of the day. It gives us a forewarning to prepare ourselves and be prepared to welcome the Son of God at any time in our lives. The resounding that echoes strongly from the Gospel is that “stay awake, for you do not know on what day the Lord will come and be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Yes, we do not know the day and we do not know the hour but one thing we are sure that the Lord will come but we need to prepare and be prepared. So to be prepared to meet the Lord we need to be alert and awake or ever vigilant in life.
That’s what we read in the Gospel reading of the day. It gives us a forewarning to prepare ourselves and be prepared to welcome the Son of God at any time in our lives. The resounding that echoes strongly from the Gospel is that “stay awake, for you do not know on what day the Lord will come and be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Yes, we do not know the day and we do not know the hour but one thing we are sure that the Lord will come but we need to prepare and be prepared. So to be prepared to meet the Lord we need to be alert and awake or ever vigilant in life.
That’s what pope Francis would say, “Vigilance is an important aspect of Christian life because it prevents one’s spirituality from becoming mediocre and lazy. Vigilance is as well a warning for all men and women in the church not to become sleepy Christians, who are anesthetized by spiritual worldliness. This leads to dozing off, to moving things along by inertia, to falling into apathy, indifferent to everything except what is comfortable for us. Moreover, Pope Francis makes us realize saying, “we need to be vigilant so that our daily life does not become a routine.” One of the ways that we all can be alert and awake or vigilant is by praying. Jesus remained vigilant and focused on the purpose of life, because he was always intimately connected and united with God the Father in Prayer.
That’s what pope Francis would say, “Vigilance is an important aspect of Christian life because it prevents one’s spirituality from becoming mediocre and lazy. Vigilance is as well a warning for all men and women in the church not to become sleepy Christians, who are anesthetized by spiritual worldliness. This leads to dozing off, to moving things along by inertia, to falling into apathy, indifferent to everything except what is comfortable for us. Moreover, Pope Francis makes us realize saying, “we need to be vigilant so that our daily life does not become a routine.” One of the ways that we all can be alert and awake or vigilant is by praying. Jesus remained vigilant and focused on the purpose of life, because he was always intimately connected and united with God the Father in Prayer.
So today, we need to ask ourselves where do I weigh my heart and spirit. Is it on God and God’s work or world and worldliness? Our focus on worldliness and worldly attitudes make us drowsy and sleepy for God and his work. Let us become alert and awake to things that distract us and disorient us, things that disturb or disunite us, things that decrease and demean our fervor for God. May God enable us to be alert and awake for the ways of God and for works of God that we may turn ourselves to Jesus in faith and love. Thus be prepared personally and collectively to welcome Jesus our Saviour amidst us.
So today, we need to ask ourselves where do I weigh my heart and spirit. Is it on God and God’s work or world and worldliness? Our focus on worldliness and worldly attitudes make us drowsy and sleepy for God and his work. Let us become alert and awake to things that distract us and disorient us, things that disturb or disunite us, things that decrease and demean our fervor for God. May God enable us to be alert and awake for the ways of God and for works of God that we may turn ourselves to Jesus in faith and love. Thus be prepared personally and collectively to welcome Jesus our Saviour amidst us.
RESPOND:
Do we have hope in God who gives ample opportunities and possibilities expressing his unconditional love and providential care?
Do we walk towards the light of Christ or choose to remain in darkness, the dark spots and dark sides of life which entangle us in evil ways?
Do we become alert and awake to the situation and times around us, to welcome Jesus amidst us and prepare a room for him in our hearts?
Let us pray that we hope in God’s unconditional love and providential care, walk in the light of the Lord for brighter side of life and be alert and awake to welcome Jesus amidst us and take control of our lives. Amen.
“Since we expect to possess God by the help of God, setting our hearts in him, looking forward to him, by his grace, the virtue of hope leads always only to God and therefore, hope is a divine and theological virtue.” (St. Francis De Sales, TLG, Bk II, Chapter – 16, pp. 73-74)
God bless us all! Live Jesus!
Fr. Ramesh George MSFS
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