Be Vigilant at All Times: Reflections on the Readings for the First Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

HAPPY NEW YEAR. This Sunday marks the beginning of Advent and of the new Liturgical Year. Advent is a time of joyful anticipation as we await the coming of Our Lord as a babe in Bethlehem at Christmas. The Bread of Life comes to us in the house of bread (Bethlehem). It is also a time during which we should engage in prayer and fasting or other penitential act, as the disciples did in the early Church before important events.

I have two Advent and Christmas books from Liguori Press, one with sayings from Bishop Sheen and one from Pope St. John Paul II. Both have the following in their introduction: “The four weeks of Advent are often thought of as symbolizing the four different ways Christ comes into the world: (1) at his birth as a helpless infant at Bethlehem; (2) at his arrival in the hearts of believers; (3) at his death; and (4) at his arrival on Judgment Day.” Some aspect of these is touched on in today’s readings. Bishop Sheen reminds us that Jesus is came to die for us, “The Babe came to die, not to live, for His name was ‘Savior.’” (Life of Christ)

The reading from Jeremiah is one of the many prophecies about God sending a redeemer to Israel. The tree of the House of David is a stump, it is after the reign of David and Solomon. However, just as many plants will put forth a shoot, even from a stump, God will raise up a shoot from the house of David, Jesus, who will “do what is right and just in the land.” God will fulfill the promise He made to Israel and Judah. Judah is the only tribe from the original twelve that maintained some connection to God and His laws, including worshipping in the temple in Jerusalem.

In the responsorial, we see the many ways that we bring God into our hearts. First, we lift up our souls to Him. He teaches us His paths and His truth. Just as Jesus is the teacher and also the Way and the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6) The psalm also calls out the need for humility. If you are not humble before the Lord, you are putting yourself above God. We desire friendship with the Lord, and especially with Jesus our brother. “The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him.” Fear of the Lord, or sometimes referred to as “awe,” is also a sign of humility. If we have the Lord in our hearts, we are humble before Him.

St. Paul reminds us that Jesus will be coming “with all his holy ones.” This is the Second Coming and refers to Judgment Day. And just as we need to prepare ourselves for the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas), we need to be prepared for the judgment. Another reminder of the four last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. And this preparation entails conducting ourselves to please God, as Jesus instructed so that we are “blameless in holiness.” And this isn’t a once-a-week effort – it must be a continuous effort. Which leads us into the gospel.

The gospel reading from Luke seems to be a replay of some of the readings from the last few weeks of Cycle B from Daniel and Mark, talking about the tribulations of the end times. Jesus will return again “in a cloud with power and great glory.” Many will be afraid, but we should not be; we are to “stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

There is a gap in this selection from Luke. What was left out was the Lesson of the Fig Tree. Jesus used this lesson to point out that certain signs tell what is coming (such as when trees sprout leaves, summer is coming). The selection then picks up with Jesus warning us to be alert, and not fall into the trap of loose living (carousing and drunkenness) “and the anxieties of daily life.” For that day will catch everyone; no one on earth will escape. As in other gospels, Jesus tells us to “be vigilant at all times.”

For us, this is also a reminder not to be distracted by the hustle and bustle of the season. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, the prize, and our path to eternal life.

As a side note, Pew Research regularly reports that those involved in a religious life are happier, more stable, and more engaged in their communities than those without a faith life. In other words, they are better able to deal with the anxieties of daily life.

Recall what Jesus said in the gospel of the 33rd Sunday (two weeks ago), "But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13:32) We need to persevere in our preparation for our entry into our spiritual home. Jesus warned that it may not be easy: “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away, ... And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. ... But he who endures to the end will be saved.” Mt 24:9-13

Our perseverance will have its reward. “Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.” Jas 1:12

We are striving to be saints – it is within reach of all of us, although the path is rough and the gate narrow. That is why we hold fast to the instructions of Jesus and the Church. One of Mother Angelica’s sayings was “we all have the ability to become great saints – don’t pass up the opportunity.” Pray for the strength “to stand before the Son of Man.”

“Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Rev 14:12