Homily, 1st Sunday of Advent

First Sunday of Advent -- November 28, 2021, Msgr. Joseph K. Ntuwa

Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12–4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Each year, on this first Sunday of Advent, the Universal Church begins a new liturgical year. Today’s readings have a theme of preparation. The prophet Jeremiah speaks for the Lord, telling the Israelites of the days that are coming when the Lord will fulfill the promise [he] made to the house of Israel and Judah. This promise was one that said he would bring forth a savior, born of the house of David. And in the second reading Saint Paul tells the Thessalonians that they should conduct themselves in a way pleasing to God. Finally, in the Gospel, Jesus vividly describes what it will be like when the Son of Man comes with power and great glory. Jesus tells his disciples to be vigilant at all times and to be ready to stand before him in judgment. 

We examine, once again and still, the fullness of the Paschal Mystery in all its facets. The Paschal Mystery refers to Christ’s passion, death, resurrection, and glorious Ascension, in other words, the means by which he accomplished our salvation. But the liturgical year is much more than an annual history lesson on the life of Christ. It is an opportunity to immerse ourselves into all that Jesus did and taught, and to relate it to our own redemption – here and now. For “by dying, he has destroyed our death, and by rising, restored our life” (Preface, Easter I).

This Paschal Mystery is at the heart of every liturgy – we celebrate what God has already done for us and we anticipate the fullness of the Kingdom to come. It is in the Lord’s Prayer, as we say, “thy Kingdom come, thy will be done.” It is in the creed we profess, “he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.” We have spoken the words of the mystery in liturgies past: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” And we have sung or recited that wonderful verse from the Book of Revelation: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come (Rev 4:8).

It is that same God we patiently await this Advent, that same God who didn’t only come two thousand years ago, but also promises to come to us once again, promises to break into our hearts, our minds, and lives in ways we can’t even imagine. Just like most things in the spiritual life, the difference God wants to make in each of our lives will not happen by accident. We need to be expecting him. We need to be longing for him. We need to be waiting for him to make the difference he longs to make, to be alert and attentive to the God who comes to us on his terms, not ours. That is why we need this season, to remind us of the incredible God we have, and the incredible things he is willing to do for us. It is like watching those heartfelt Christmas movies over and over again, knowing how they will turn out, but still needing to experience the ending again --- an ending full of joy and peace and love --- the ending a life of faith assures us.

At the beginning of the new Church year, we need to take a basic Catholic checkup:

When was the last time you made a good confession?

• Regular confession has always been encouraged by the saints and the great teachers of our faith. It helps us to examine our lives!

How do you begin and end each day?

• Do you start out the day by giving it to God or to your smartphone?
• Do you start the day by giving thanks or by sighing about all that must be done?
• Do you end your day by asking God’s forgiveness for all failings and resolving to do better?

What about love of neighbor?

• Do you look for opportunities to serve?
• Do you strive to forgive, difficult though it may be – seeking God’s help to do so?

Do you faithfully support your Church, not only financially but also through getting involved?

As we begin this sacred season of Advent, let us welcome the opportunity to grow in faith and in conformity to Christ. May our preparation for the celebration of his birth, and his awaited second coming, be one that draws us ever more into the Paschal Mystery and enables us to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father.

Maranatha - Come Lord Jesus!