First Sunday of Advent

First Sunday of Advent

Readings for the 1st Sunday of Advent [1]

Commentary:

Reading 1 Jer 33:14-16

This passage from Jeremiah predicts the continuation of the dynasty of King David (“I will raise up for David a just shoot”). This prediction, fulfilled in Jesus, is the reason so much stress is laid on Jesus’ genealogy.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.

In this hymn of thanksgiving we hear the petition we have all made many times. In paraphrase it is “God tell me what you want me to do. Tell me how to follow you.” It goes on to say how blessed are those who have found that path.

Reading II 1 Thes 3:12—4:2

St. Paul speaks to the Thessalonians about encouraging their already fervent love for on another and the Lord. He has warned them earlier that they will be facing resistance and that it is now necessary to strengthen themselves for what is to come.

Gospel Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

We saw this same passage just yesterday and it’s commentary is appropriate (see Blog entry for Saturday of the 34th Week of the Year) The apocalyptic vision of Christ’s second coming, the Parousia, reminds us that we need to be constantly prepared.

Reflection:

Today we launch ourselves into the Advent Season and look forward to the great gift of God, the gift of His Son at the great feast of the Nativity of Jesus. This year you will notice that in these posts I will be using the word Christmas as little as possible just to make sure I am as focused on the true meaning of the event as possible. Try it, it makes a difference.

As we begin our own period of expectation, let’s think about this impending event as if it were our own child being bourn. What steps would we be taking to insure that everything was ready for the new arrival?

Well, first we would make sure we had a place ready for the child to sleep. We would prepare a crib or at least a bassinette. We would make sure the room was ready for the baby. We would also start getting things together the child would need – cloths, blankets, toys, food, and extra everything so we would be ready when the blessed event took place.

We should take a good look at this analogy because it is appropriate for us is this season and it will take almost as much work to prepare for the birth of Christ as it would for the arrival of a new baby in our household.

Let’s take the space the baby would live in – the “Baby’s Room”. In our home we might strip off old wall paper and either paint or re-paper the room in cheerful and warm colors. We would either clean or put in new carpet so the room was clean and warm. We might get new drapes to match the room décor, and perhaps hang a mobile for the child.
What about starting this Advent Season by preparing a room for the Lord who is to come? Of course the room where he stays is in our heart. The place could sure use a make over couldn’t it. Could we not pick our some scheme to make that room more open and welcoming? What about cleaning out some of the ugly stuff that’s been sitting around in there – reconcile with people who have darkened that room. Or perhaps, do a complete makeover in a great act of contrition followed by the sacrament of reconciliation.

There are plenty of things that we can do to make that space for Jesus more open more like a show place for others to see and marvel at. It will take work, but in the end we know the Lord will be pleased.

Pax

[1] ALTRE