Advent: God's Plan Saves Mankind

Advent begins with the announcement of “The Nativity of Jesus.”  This season prepares us for the singular most holy event that began in a stable and culminated on Calvary as the Paschal Lamb was  slaughtered in a sacrifice pleasing to Almighty God.  As with the Mosaic Law, the paschal lamb was not a sin offering, rather it was a special sacrifice immediately tied to Israel’s deliverance.  Likewise, the Holy Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross was seen as an embodiment of liberation from our slavery to sin.  cf CCC 601 (“The scriptures had foretold this divine plan of salvation through putting to death of the righteous one, my Servant as a mystery of universal redemption, that is, as the ransom that would free men from the slavery of sin.”)   “In particular Jesus’ death fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering Servant.”    

 Reading the Old Testament we see numerous events that occur as sacrifices of a perfect lamb.  No blemish, physically or spiritually, could be found.  As in Abraham’s son Issac, this became a precursor to Jesus, the Lamb without blemish being sacrificed for a specific purpose, none of us can fully comprehend.  Yet, in each Holy Sacrifice written throughout the Bible, we see the eventual reason and each one relates to the Sacrifice on Calvary.

 All during Advent in our preparation for welcoming the Messiah into the world, we also are made aware that the second coming, the Parousia, is the more prominent theme that will prepare us for our own death/resurrection.  Remember the words spoken as our casket enters the Church:  “In the waters of baptism (name) died with Christ and rose with him to new life.  May he/she now share with him eternal glory.” 

 The word Parousia is taken from an Ancient Greek word meaning presence, arrival, or official visit.  Phonetically the word can be pronounced as; pa-roo-zhi-a.  This is the second coming of Christ, in all his glory and accompanied with myriads of Angels.  

 As Jesus, through the Incarnation entered our world, he also was preparing for that fateful day on Calvary.  Our life is no different with the exception we carry blemishes therefore not being the Pasch as in the Easter event of salvation.  

 However, as we have been told, Jesus comes to us a third time.  Somewhere between the Incarnation/Nativity of Jesus and the Parousia of the Glorified Christ at the end of time, Jesus enters our lives.  Not just as His Holy Spirit is received through Baptism/Confirmation, but in a more unique way with us stepping back and allowing us to become one with the Risen Christ.  

 These are not just words of supplication, but a deeper desire to find solace in the emptiness of our souls, the dryness of our senses, and the loneliness we all find when filled with the world’s too busy activities.  This third coming is not to be celebrated at particular moments, as noted on the calendar, but every waking moment when life seems empty or confusing.  He is there for each of us as an Advent of peace and love.

Ralph B. Hathaway Advent 2019