We might think that today's readings correspond to last Sunday's Solemnity of Christ the King and not to the celebration of the First Sunday of Advent. We think of Advent as a time of preparation for the coming of Christ as man. But today's Gospel speaks to us of his second coming in majesty at the end of time.Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud, with great power and glory".
Advent has a twofold purpose. It looks backward to the coming of Christ in his infant weakness, and forward to his coming in glory as King and universal Judge. And to be prepared for both we need the same attitude: prayerful vigilance and continual conversion of life. "Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be dulled with carousing, drunkenness, and the cares of life, and that day be suddenly upon you..... Be ye therefore awake at all times, praying that ye may escape all that is about to come upon you, and stand before the Son of man.".
"Lord, teach me thy ways, instruct me in thy paths."we pray in the psalm. It is a beautiful prayer to help us live Advent. "Lord," we can pray, "show me the ways to be ready for your coming, show me the ways to come to you so that you will come to me." For love is always lovers coming to each other. Those ways, the psalm tells us, are those of humility, mercy and faithfulness. And in the second reading, St. Paul exhorts us to brotherly love: "May the Lord fill you and make you overflow with love for one another and love for all.".
Vigilance to receive Christ requires vigilance to receive others. It requires vigilance over our evil passions, and our tongue, vigilance perhaps also over those many excuses we make to justify our laziness and selfishness. If we were more attentive to correct them, we could be more attentive to welcome others and, through them, Christ.
The homily on the readings for the first Sunday of Advent
Priest Luis Herrera Campo offers his nanomiliaA short one-minute reflection for these Sunday readings.
