Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk 

First Sunday of Advent, Year B – December 3, 2017

Readings: Is 63:16-17,64:1,3-8; Responsorial Psalm Ps 79:2-3,15-16,18-19; 

1 Cor. 1:3-9; Gospel Mat. 13:33-37.

Theme: Getting Ready for the Lord!

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, I welcome you the season of advent. Yesterday I saw the picture of a beautiful crown which had the Christmas tree on one side and thorns on the other. It had the caption: “This is the reason (his death); this is the season (his birth).  Well, this brings us to the most popular wisdom quote from the book of Ecclesiastes: “To everything there is a season, and a time under heaven” (Ecc 3:1). This saying reminds us about the necessity of change in times and seasons. The Season of Advent is here again – a time when the liturgical colour changes to purple/violet; a time when a new liturgical new calendar begins; a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the nativity of the Lord at Christmas. 

The Meaning of Advent

Advent comes from the Latin adventus which means “coming.” It means the same thing with the Greek word parousia which also stands for (coming). As such, advent is a season of looking forward and waiting for someone very important. Put in perspective, advent is the period of preparation for the annual celebration of the birth of Christ as well as his second coming in glory. This season aims at furnishing our understanding about the Christ-events which advent prepares us for, towards the celebration of Christmas.    

Explication of the Sacred Text/Take Home-Lessons

In the first reading (Is 63:16-17,64:1,3-8),  the prophet Isaiah makes the point that we are clay, the work of God’s hands and he, our Father, is the potter. Granted that we were created from the Adamic clay, the reading suggests that we must be docile to the summons of God if our advent is to honour God. What this means is that as we prepare for Christmas, Christians are challenged to allow God who is the potter, to mould them into what he wants them to be in this season of advent. As it were, the potter would not force the clay into what he wants to make out of it because God respects our freedom. 

The message is the same in the second reading (1 Cor. 1:3-9) wherein St. Paul urges the Corinthians who were expecting the parousia to align themselves with Jesus Christ. Earlier, he had challenged them to live the life of the spirit while awaiting the revelation of the Lord. He particularly tasked them to be “steady” and “without blame” until the last day. What this means is that at advent, Christians are mandated to copy the Corinthians in witnessing to the Lord in a strong manner by accessing the gifts of the spirit.