Readings:

Jer. 33:14-16; Ps. 25; 1 Thes. 3:12-4:2; Lk. 21:25-28, 34-36

This first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year. Since it is a new year in the Church, I like to make a few spiritual resolutions. We tend to make New Year’s resolutions in January, but now is a time to focus on Christ. Adventus means “coming,” or “arrival,” which focuses us on the events leading up to the Nativity of our Lord. This glorious event was so important, it caused the change of the calendar. This is now the two-thousand twenty-fourth year since the coming of our Lord. He came to usher in an era whereby people of all nations may enjoy life in the Spirit, blessed by the Sacraments, and be filled with God’s grace. Indeed, such an amazing event as the nativity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, warrants this special time of reflection, and a spiritual resolution or two.

The prophet Jeremiah says, “The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah.” This promise was that an heir of the House of David would lead the people into all justice. And their holy city, the city of Jerusalem, Zion, would inspire peoples all over to say, “The Lord our justice.” Indeed, the prophet Micah says, “For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Mic. 4:2).

The nativity of Jesus Christ is the beginning of the fulfillment of these prophecies, because the word became flesh and dwelt among us. He took upon himself our human nature so that he could show us the way to all truth by teaching us with his holy word. This is what he proclaimed to Pontius Pilot in last week’s gospel as he said: “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” In response to this amazing reality, our psalmist says, “Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and for you I wait all the day.” Of course, for the psalmist, there was no more waiting for a savior once Christ was born. But, what about us? We await Jesus’ second coming. And to that end, we are encouraged by Jesus to be prepared.

St. Paul prays that the Thessalonians may be strengthened in heart so they may increase and abound in love. He instructs them to conduct themselves so as to please God in every way. To accomplish this, he exhorts them to observe the teaching they received from Paul, which was the gospel. When we conform our lives to the gospel, we cannot help but increase in love.

Jesus describes the signs that will accompany his return. There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and nations will be in dismay. This kind of passage makes everyone perk up a bit. I imagine a lot of people want to know when that day will be so they can figure out how much longer they can goof off. But, disciples of Jesus are not so much interested in the day or the hour, but living in a way that is authentic to the teachings of Christ. If we are living this way, then when that day comes, we will be ready. And so, Jesus encourages all his disciples to be prepared. He says, “when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” In other words, those who held fast to the truth of his teaching, who remained upright and blameless are being redeemed. Jesus says, “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,” to stand before the great Judge.

How are we to be vigilant at all times? Jesus says very simply that we are to pray. But, the way the word is used in today’s gospel is quite literally to beg. We should beg God constantly that we may be kept blameless, that is, without guilt, in all our ways. Now, how many of us can say we are without guilt in all our ways? Thankfully, Jesus gave us the sacrament of reconciliation to help us remove guilt. This year, we are offering adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesdays at 7PM, and I will be available for confessions during adoration. On Tuesday, December 17th, I will be at St. Joan’s for our regular shared Advent Penance Service.

We are also hosting the relics of St. Padre Pio next Saturday, December 7th beginning at 10AM. A speaker from the St. Pio Foundation will be here at 12PM followed by confessions from 1PM to 4PM. St. Pio was an excellent confessor, so it is proper for us to have this important sacrament available during Advent. We will conclude our evening with Mass in honor of St. Pio and the lighting of our Christmas trees.

I hope that you find these opportunities for prayer and the celebration of the sacraments helpful to our observance of Advent. May we continue to hold fast to the faith, to walk blamelessly before the Lord, to sacrifice for the good of others, and to give without counting the cost. Now is the time. God has blessed us and will continue to do so provided we remain steadfast in his love and the love of his Only Son.

Now, as we turn to the celebration of the Eucharist, may this arrival of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar help us to grow in faith, hope, and love, so that we may walk blamelessly before the Lord.