Dec. 2, 2012
(Lk 21:25-28, 24-36)
Jesus said to his disciples:
"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
"Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man."
At the very beginning of our liturgical calendar, the Gospel reminds us of the end. People often sensationalize discussions about the end of the world. Some panic about it, saying that it is near; some want to find out when it will exactly be, through science. As Christians, should we not listen to what our Lord Jesus had to say about the ends times? Jesus reminds us in our Gospel today: "Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand." This is the proper Christian response to the idea of the end of the world: a joyful expectation of the redemption that the Lord Jesus will fulfill in us. This is precisely what Advent is all about.
Advent, being a preparation for the Solemnity of Christmas, also leads us to reflect on the Lord's Second Coming, an event which we should be prepared for - always! This season, therefore, is not just a season of preparation. Advent is a reminder that preparation is necessary every day of our lives! For Jesus came and He will come again.
But again, Jesus reminds us of the kind of preparation we must make. He warns us not to embrace the pleasures of the world nor be too engrossed with the anxieties of daily life. We often struggle to get all that we want here on earth - pleasure, power, money and everything else we can get - and then to keep them for ourselves for as long as we want them. The prevalent idea is: "The world will end so we must do everything we want. We must achieve everything we can." As Christians, our idea is: "The world will end, so we cling to Him who does not end - God." Of course, Jesus does not want us to forget our duties. What Jesus wants is that we live here on earth with our minds and hearts ready for heaven - for eternity.
The proper preparation for the Lord's Coming is the keeping of our faith in Him. With the vigilance of faith, we continue to know, celebrate and obey God in our daily living, even as we await His Coming. When we live without faith, in sin or in apathy towards God, only then do we fear the end of the world, because we would have nothing to cling to. But when we strive to keep our faith and pray for the increase of our faith, we become more and more prepared to meet the Lord, and less afraid of the end of the world. We can only "stand erect" on that day if we know that we are ready to receive the fullness of redemption that Jesus brings.
As we begin the season of Advent, we light candles on the Advent wreath. The light of the candles increase gradually as we light one more candle every week, symbolizing that the light increases as our Lord comes. May that light also symbolize our faith, ever alive and ever increasing, through God's grace!
Advent, being a preparation for the Solemnity of Christmas, also leads us to reflect on the Lord's Second Coming, an event which we should be prepared for - always! This season, therefore, is not just a season of preparation. Advent is a reminder that preparation is necessary every day of our lives! For Jesus came and He will come again.
But again, Jesus reminds us of the kind of preparation we must make. He warns us not to embrace the pleasures of the world nor be too engrossed with the anxieties of daily life. We often struggle to get all that we want here on earth - pleasure, power, money and everything else we can get - and then to keep them for ourselves for as long as we want them. The prevalent idea is: "The world will end so we must do everything we want. We must achieve everything we can." As Christians, our idea is: "The world will end, so we cling to Him who does not end - God." Of course, Jesus does not want us to forget our duties. What Jesus wants is that we live here on earth with our minds and hearts ready for heaven - for eternity.
The proper preparation for the Lord's Coming is the keeping of our faith in Him. With the vigilance of faith, we continue to know, celebrate and obey God in our daily living, even as we await His Coming. When we live without faith, in sin or in apathy towards God, only then do we fear the end of the world, because we would have nothing to cling to. But when we strive to keep our faith and pray for the increase of our faith, we become more and more prepared to meet the Lord, and less afraid of the end of the world. We can only "stand erect" on that day if we know that we are ready to receive the fullness of redemption that Jesus brings.
As we begin the season of Advent, we light candles on the Advent wreath. The light of the candles increase gradually as we light one more candle every week, symbolizing that the light increases as our Lord comes. May that light also symbolize our faith, ever alive and ever increasing, through God's grace!
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