1^st Sunday of Advent, Year C: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: What we should do as we wait for Christ’s coming

Readings: Jer 33:14-16; 1 Thess 3:12-4:2; Lk 21:25-28,34-36

Dear friends in Christ, today marks the beginning of a New Year in the church (Year C) and a new season (the season of advent). Advent is a season of special preparation and expectation for the coming of Christ. It is a four-week preparation period leading up to Christmas.

In a special way, advent is a time that prepares us for the coming of Christ in three ways: first, it prepares us for the commemoration of the historical birth of Christ, that is, Jesus’ first coming in history as a baby in Bethlehem (Christmas); second, it is a time of preparation for Christ’s daily coming into our lives in mystery through the Sacraments, through the Bible, and through the worshipping community; and third, it is a preparation for Christ’s Second Coming (Parousia) at the end of the world to reward the just and to punish the wicked. It is a time that calls us to devote special time to penance, sacrifice, and prayer in preparation to receive Christ in our lives.

The term Advent comes from the Latin words ad-ventus and ad-venire, which simply mean “to arrive” or “to come,” respectively.” The three readings of today’s Mass speak of this coming. The first reading describes the coming of the upright branch from the family of David. The gospel speaks of the second coming of Jesus, the son of David. The second reading speaks of the kind of life people should live in expectation of the second coming of Christ.

After the reign of David, Israel was ruled by many kings who made life unbearable for the people. Under those kings, injustice, immorality, idolatry, lack of peace, and all manner of evil became the order of the day in the lives of Israelites. The awful situation created by those kings subjected the people to terrible hardships and suffering, and in most cases, enslavement. It was in the midst of Israel’s countless problems and misery that the prophet Jeremiah delivered the message of hope that we read in the first reading.

Jeremiah promised the people of Israel, who were thinking that they had been abandoned to suffer and die under evil kings, that their God would raise up for them a righteous king from the house of their great king David; a king whose reign will bring an end to injustice, immorality, slavery, and the many evils that threatened the lives of the people; a king whose reign will restore the people’s hope and bring back peace and prosperity; a king who will lead the people by example.

Dear friends, the Church is sending this same message of hope of the arrival of a righteous king, Jesus Christ, to all of us who are suffering from the terrible realities of the world, which include economic challenges, social unrest, family problems, health issues, and other personal problems. The Church reminds us that our God has not abandoned us; rather, He has already sent us His Son, Jesus Christ, who is coming to meet us again.

In today’s gospel, Luke reminds us that Christmas is not just a reminder of the coming of Christ in the flesh; rather, it is also a reminder that Christ will come in the Spirit at the end of time. He advises us to pay special attention to this second coming of Christ because it will be preceded by a catalogue of disasters, a terrific scenario that will instil fear in all humans. He warns that the apparent delay in the coming of this terrific end should not lead people to indulge in shameful lifestyles, thinking that it will never come, because that day will come as a surprise to every one. However, He urges everyone to look up in prayer and raise their heads high as they await the arrival of the last day. 

In today’s second reading, St. Paul gives us more details of what should keep us busy as we wait for the day of the coming of Jesus at Christmas and at the end of time. He says we should increase and abound in love for one another. St. Paul encourages those who are already involved in good acts of love and kindness in their communities to do more and more. Those who are lacking in acts of love and kindness are urged to wake up and do something good for God and humanity.

St. Paul did not fail to warn those who are waiting for the coming of Christ to desist from the current civilization and admiration of immoral and shameful lifestyles, a situation where people admire, praise, celebrate, and promote what they should be ashamed of. He says anyone who desires to meet Jesus when He returns must make holiness of life, a life that is unblemished, his priority.

Let us pray for the grace to live a life inspired by divine love rather than by immoral love as we prepare and wait for the coming of Christ.

Peace be with you.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 1^st SUNDAY OF ADVENT, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: CHRIST IS COMING TO MEET MAN

(Luke 21:25-28.34-36)

Today, the New Year of the Church begins. Today begins a New Season in our lives as Christians. Today is the First Sunday of Advent.

WHAT IS ADVENT?

Simply put, Advent is a word that derives from the Latin 'Adventus', which means coming, or arrival.  Advent is not applicable to any type of coming. It is the coming of a notable personality.

The Church uses the word "Advent" to talk about the Holy Season when her sons and daughters wait in joy for the coming of Jesus Christ. Thus, Christ is the Notable One we are expecting His coming. We are not just expecting any type of Man, we are solemnly, prayerfully, and watchfully celebrating the arrival of God himself, God who, for us, becomes man, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.

This is a time for recall. When we call to mind are in a very special way, the fact that Christ had come in the flesh more than two thousand years ago.

It is a time for Thanksgiving. When we thank God for His coming daily in our lives, especially through His Word and the Holy Eucharist.

 

A TIME OF DIVINE EXPECTATION

During this season of Advent, we remember vividly the word of Christ "I am coming again." We therefore use this period to look back on how the people in the past waited for the Lord, draw a leaf from them while asking how they prepared for that first coming, we look forward to His second Coming which will involve each and everyone of us.

During this gracious time, therefore, we are to ask ourselves the expectations of the Lord who told us about His coming.

When a notable person is coming into our home as a guest, we make extra effort to live better than we used to. We inquire from those who received such personalities in the past to know how they went about it. We try to know what such a person eats. We ask their friends what irritates them in order to avoid such things. We put ourselves together to appear good before such a person. We remove things that are unnecessary. We decorate the whole place, make sure every place smells good. We try our best to make our revered guests feel welcomed, relaxed, and joyful.

During this period, therefore, we are called upon to know what God expects from us as He comes. We are to evaluate how ready we are to welcome Christ in our lives, the type of welcome we have given Him so far, and the impression Jesus gets at   His coming to see us. Jesus returns. Just as God returned to Adam and Eve in Eden, Jesus returns. Just as Moses returned to the people after His encounter with God on the mountain, Jesus comes back to us from the right hand of His Father. Are we running out to welcome Him, or shall we run away like Adam and Eve? Will He see us romancing with Baal when He extends hands for embrace?

This is the time of running out, a time of cleaning up, a time of making room for God in our lives. These are the expectations of God on us as we enter this New Year of the Church.

 

INSIGHT FROM THE GOSPEL

AMIDST FEAR THE LORD COMES AS A MAN

The Gospel presented first of all the fearful images that made the men wonder "what is coming into the world." That which was shaking the powers of the heavens.

In the middle of this turbulent situation, lo and behold, the Son of man was seen coming in a cloud with power and glory.

Alleluia! This is revealing. The Lord comes. No power stops Him. Even in the midst of your fears and humanness. The Lord comes with glory and power. He comes to strengthen the wearied parts of our lives. He comes to meet me in my weakness. He comes to meet me as I am shaking. He wishes that I answer even with my shivering body. He wants me to jump into His arms to receive His encouragement to move on, to receive corrections on the things I am not getting fine, to seek directions to remain on track. To keep preparing myself for the day He takes me to my eternal destiny to live with Him forever.

The coming of Christ therefore calls for holy fear; fear of being reprimanded by the God who loves us so much, the fear of losing the rewards in the hands of God who comes. Yes He comes with goodies. We should put our eyes on the blessings He comes to us with.

Let's not take His coming for granted. He came as a man to make men feel free and have free access to God. But many of them missed such a wonderful opportunity.

Let us not take this second coming for granted. May holy fear inspire our waiting. Let's raise our heads high above the causes of unholy fears, those things that make us unfit to embrace Christ, those things that make us feel embarrassed when God calls to tell us that He is coming, those things that make God feel embarrassed to be around us.

 

KEYS TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR THE ONE COMING

Jesus drops the keys we need to use as we expect His coming. The keys include constant watchfulness and prayers.

This season is a time to be awake. This implies that we use the weapon of holiness, meditation, and prayers to disallow dissipation, drunkenness, and cares of life from weighing us down spiritually. It is a season of spiritual ascent. Let's not allow the things of the world and the desires of our flesh to make us unable to run out to meet Christ this season.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

Almighty God, we thank You for the blessing of being numbered among those to long for the coming of Your Son. As we joyfully expect His coming in glory, help us to conquer our human frailties. Grant us the grace of hosting You well in our lives that You may host us too on the last day through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday (First Sunday of Advent, Year C)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh