Gospel Reflection 20061203
Church is not just a buildingChurch is people who love and worship God and help one another to become what God has created them to be. Church is a place where we are valued, where we are loved, a place where God builds self-esteem.----------
First Sunday of Advent
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36Jesus 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."
Our Gospel today speaks of "signs" in the heavens - the sun, the moon and the stars in dismay. People will be confused and wandering looking for something, anything that will provide them some comfort, something that they can hold on when everything seems so precarious, so perishable, so petty.
In the Gospel Reading, the Lord warns us to be on guard because we do not know when our hour will come and, therefore, we have to be prepared always. The Church urgently exhorts us, through the readings, to begin our preparations, not only for the coming of Christ at the end of time, but also for the end of our own lives. Some people will feel sad when they hear these words because they remind us that at any moment our end can occur. But for those who are prepared, for those who have followed the commandments of God; there should be no reason to fear. For them these words should be a cause for joy because when that moment arrives they will surely know that they have reached their salvation.
“They will see the Son of Man coming with power and great glory.” This is what Advent and Christmas is all about: Christ coming to earth to give us hope. Advent is a time to wake up to Christ in our life. We need to prepare our hearts for his coming on Christmas morning so that he can find in us a place where he is welcome and loved. Christ is the reason for the season!
Dismay, perplexity, and fright could all be attitudes of nations and people around the world today. When Christ came to earth 2,000 years ago he encountered a world similar to the one we live in: far from God and full of anxiety.
On this First Sunday of Advent we are reminded that we can spend all our time waiting and doing nothing, or we can be about our Father's business while we wait. It is on this that we will be judged. It is on this that our very lives depend.
Lord, help me during this Advent Season, which begins today, to see that the priority in my life is preparing myself and those around me for a truly “spiritual” Christmas. I know it is a busy time of year. Help me remain focused on what is essential -- you being born into our hearts.
How should we prepare for Christmas? Before we answer that question we should determine to which Christmas we are referring: the “commercial” Christmas or the “spiritual” Christmas. To many people Christmas no longer means, “The birthday of the baby Jesus.” Christmas to them only means shopping, gifts, travel, the family coming home, the big meal and so on. To prepare for that Christmas people spend hours upon hours shopping, planning, sending cards and attending parties.
But that’s not what Christmas is. Christmas is the birthday of Jesus. But do we really believe that and do we really prepare properly to celebrate His birthday? Or, do we get caught up in the “commercial” Christmas and forget the “spiritual” Christmas?
The “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” is what we should really prepare for. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is fine. The gifts, the shopping, the family gatherings are wonderful. But that’s the “commercial” Christmas. Today, as we come to communion, everyone, the young, the teens, the young adults, the moms and dads and the seniors, all consider the question, “How am I going to prepare for the “spiritual” Christmas ... the birthday of Jesus Christ?”
This first Sunday of Advent brings us the Good News of the returning of the Son of Man at the end of human history. This gospel also warns against this day catching us by surprise like a trap.These traps have one thing in common, and that is luring us away from the core of our existence. They want to trap us in something that is superficial or in opposition to justice and the kingdom of God. The biggest trap of this season is when we think of the “stuff” that we covet and scheme to get this Christmas.Our spiritual journey and our secular journey run on two competing tracks during the Advent season that leads up to Christmas Day. The secular track leads to “Santa Claus” on Christmas day rather than to the birth of the Son of God.One measure, of the main track that we choose to travel, is the amount of time we spend preparing for each event.Which track will we be on this Advent? The trains leave the station today so we must make up our mind now. Will we be predominantly on the spiritual train or the secular train?If our main train is the spiritual one, we will be spending a major portion of our time preparing for the coming of Jesus. Hopefully, we will also find a balance in preparing for “Santa Claus” as another way to show our family and friends how much we love them.If we predominantly board the secular train for one more year, we will be minimizing the time that we prepare for the coming of Jesus. Time will be spent buying and wrapping presents. If this is our choice, we are wise to consider the warnings in the Gospel today:
· “Beware that your hearts not become drowsy…and that the day catch you by surprise.”
· And, “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.”
If Jesus comes again during this Advent season, will we be caught praying or shopping? Will we be found teaching others about Christ or will we be standing in line at the mall?
posted by Mike Young @ 6:26 AM
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