1^st Sunday of Advent [C]

December 1, 2024

Luke 21:25–28, 34–36

The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the new liturgical year of the Church. Advent, which means “the arrival,” is a time to prepare for the coming of Christ, both His first coming in Bethlehem, over 2000 years ago, and His second coming at the end of time. Basically, through this season, the Church teaches us to wait. Yet, how do we prepare ourselves to wait for Christ?

There are three key steps in this preparation:

First. Knowing who is coming. The most basic thing to prepare the arrival of someone is to know who they are. The preparation we make to welcome a close friend into our home is vastly different from the preparation to welcome a country’s president. The person coming will dictate overall planning, the resources needed, and the level of effort involved. The more important the person, the greater resources we commit. Advent reminds us that the one who is coming is Jesus! If Jesus is God, then all our lives, time, strength, and hearts are devoted to welcome Him.

Second. Knowing the reason of the coming. The nature of our preparations also depends on the reason of the visit. If a friend comes to borrow a book, we simply make the book available. But if a relative from another town is visiting for several days, we prepare the space for her stay, buy or cook necessary food, and ensure everything she may need. Advent teaches us that Jesus comes at the end of time to bring final judgement. He will be just both to the righteous and the wicked. Surely, we do not want to be numbered among evil-doers. So, our preparation is to become a righteous by faithfully doing what is pleasing to Him.

Third. Knowing the time of the coming. The timing of arrival also shapes our preparations. A mother who knows the expected date of her child’s birth can plan accordingly. Parents who are expecting the arrival of their daughter after study abroad, will go to the airport ahead of time, and perhaps bringing small, lovely gifts. However, Advent tells us a different story. While the Bible assures us that Jesus surely will come, it also makes clear that we are not to know when Jesus comes. Therefore, we must live as though Jesus is coming at any moment. Every second of our lives is an opportunity to make ourselves ready to stand before Him.

Advent season is rightly called as the time of expectation. Through this season, the Church teaches us how to expect Jesus’ coming in our lives.

Rome

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP

One crucial element in our preparation is the Eucharist. The Mass is often referred to as “Jesus’ third coming”.  Jesus is present sacramentally, and the way we approach the Mass is most likely how we will face Jesus in the final judgement. Do we receive Jesus worthily in the Eucharist? What kind spiritual preparation we do before we go the mass? Do we approach Jesus in the Eucharist with eagerness and devotion or do we feel lazy and uninspired?