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

First Sunday of Advent, Year C – December 2, 2018.

Readings: Jer. 33:14-16; Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:4-5,8-9,10,14; 1 

Thess. 3:12-4:2; Gospel Luke 21:25-28,34-36.

Theme: Holding Our Heads High at Advent & Always!

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, the Season of Advent is here again. It is a time that the Church’s liturgical colour changes to purple or violet. Advent is a time that the Church begins a new liturgical calendar. Our Sunday readings will henceforth be taken from Year C while that of weekday readings will be from Cycle 1. Gloria is also omitted during this season because the Church reserves it for Christmas vigil. Advent is a period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the nativity of the Lord at Christmas. Our reflection tilted, “Holding Our Heads High at Advent & Always” shall explore the meaning of advent, background and summary of the readings, advent stories on staying awake, pastoral application as well as practical lessons and homiletic points to remember. 

The Meaning of Advent

The word Advent comes from the Latin, Adventus which means “coming” – the word is synonymous with the Greek Parousia which also stands for (coming). As a season of looking forward and waiting for something really important, Advent is about both the preparation of the annual celebration of the birth of Christ and his second coming. The season of Advent leads us to a spiritual-nostalgia of recalling the incarnation events. By his birth over thousand years ago, Christ established a kingdom. Upon his paschal mysteries, Christ returned to the father with the promise that he would return in glory – a return we are all waiting for. This season aids our understanding of the Christ-events which Advent prepares and Christmas celebrates.    

Background & Summary of the Readings

In the first reading (Jer. 33:14-16) the Prophet Jeremiah discloses that the Lord would fulfill his promise to the House of Israel and the House of Judah by raising a virtuous Branch, David who shall practice honesty and integrity in the land. He notes that while Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in confidence. He particularly mentions that his name shall be called, “The-Lord-our-integrity.”

The second reading (1 Thess. 3:12-4:2) challenges Christians on increasing in love before God and humanity and on the need to be confirmed in holiness in the sight of God. In the reading, Saint Paul charges the faithful to make steady progress by following the instructions of the Lord as they have been taught by the apostles. 

In the gospel (Luke 21:25-28,34-36), Jesus talks about the coming of the Son of Man in glory. He reveals that this period would be associated with fear as the powers of heaven would be shaken. He, however, notes that “when these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.” He goes ahead to warn against debauchery, drunkenness and fixing our gaze on the cares of this life. He further discloses that that day would spring upon everyone like a trap. He, therefore, called everyone to: “Stay awake praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of man.”  

Advent Stories on Staying Awake

A certain Pastor by name William Willimon tells the story of a funeral he attended in a Baptist church in the company of his wife, Patsy. During the homily, he was surprised to hear the preacher shout with folded arms: “It’s too late for Joe. He’s dead. But it is not too late for you. People drop dead every day. Why wait? Now is the day for decision. Give your life to Jesus.” William was so annoyed at the Pastor and complained to his wife that the preacher had done the worst thing possible to a grieving family. He felt the preacher manipulated mourners with guilt and shame. His wife’s response will shock you. Patsy replied him: “Well, the worst part of it all is that what he said is true.” 

The lesson of this story is that “each one of us lives in the shadow of the apocalypse - the dark reality of the end of our time and the end of the world’s time. That is the warning of Advent. But there is also good news. There is also the promise of Advent - the promise that in the darkness, in the shadows, in the unpredictable anxiety of our unfinished lives, God is present. God is in control, and God will come again… God is present to help us endure. God is in charge, and hope is alive. And as long and as interminable as the night seems, morning will come - in God's good time and God's good way.”