Today is the first Sunday of Advent; the word advent, from Latin adventus, means arrival or approach. For Catholics, Advent is the season of joyful anticipation of the coming of Christ into the world.
Advent also marks the beginning of a new liturgical year. Similar to how many of us celebrate the coming of the New Year with countdown parties, or Chinese New Year with family reunions and gatherings, the Catholic Church too wishes to welcome the new liturgical year by preparing our hearts to receive Christ.
Today’s Gospel exhorts us to awaken, and stay vigilant for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jesus uses apocalyptic language (v. 25 – 26) to express figuratively the overthrowing of the Temple – the destruction of the old order. The figurative signs which Jesus gave, such as the “the “roaring of the sea and the waves” and the shaking of the “powers of the heavens”, are reminiscent of current world events – earthquakes, massive floods, tsunamis, famine, forest fires. Are these signs of the end times or the coming of judgement day? For many of us living in Singapore who do not literally experience such signs, the coming of Christ in turn seems far away. But what are the signs of our times – the signs in our lives – that Jesus is calling us to prepare for His coming? For the coming of Christ will assault everyone – believers, non-believers, those prepared and not prepared alike (v. 35).
Are you searching for meaning and purpose? Have you asked why you were created and the point of your existence on earth? Do you sense that all human effort is futile and meaningless, “a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20, 4:4)? These questions go to the heart of our identity, to the heart of who we are. Are they not similarly cataclysmic? When pondering them, do you not feel that the rug has been pulled out from under your feet, and there’s no telling up from down, right from wrong? In a similar way, we experience much turmoil when we come to terms with sin and disorder in our lives, when we recognise our broken relationship with God. These are all signs that Jesus is calling us to destroy ‘the old order’, our old selves.
Why? So that we may be redeemed by His precious Blood and Body. In today’s Gospel reading, the apocalyptic signs are followed immediately by the reassurance of Jesus coming in fullness of divine power and glory (v. 27, Daniel 7:13-14). And we are called to “straighten up and lift (our) heads”, for our redemption has come (v. 28). Apocalypse, from the Greek apokalupsis (apo- ‘un-’ and kaluptein ‘to cover’), means to uncover – it refers to the revelation of things previously unknown. This is the message revealed in today’s Gospel reading – awaken, and stay vigilant, for Jesus is coming.
In hope, let us then prepare for this year’s anniversary of His first Advent as King of Mercy and Compassion. Jesus is calling us to awaken, for the kingdom of God is at hand (Matthew 3:2, 4:17, Mark 1:15). We deceive ourselves if we think that there is no life after death or that we have plenty of time left to change ourselves.
Do you live your life waiting for a cataclysmic sign before you can be convinced that Jesus is coming?
Or do you live each day with the expectation of meeting God anytime, choosing to live in the Kingdom of God every waking moment of your life?
Because His coming is imminent, we are warned to be “…vigilant at all times and pray (for) the strength to escape the tribulations…” (v. 34). Just like the parable of the conscientious steward (Matthew 24:45-51) and the ten wedding attendants (Matthew 25:1-13), is your life in order, or are you beating the servants, eating and drinking, or slumbering and oblivious (v. 34)? Are your relationships (with God, family, friends, work) in order? Is God the centre of your life? Have you sought forgiveness from your enemies? Have you showed your family that you love them? Do you pray daily, regularly receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, frequently celebrate the Eucharist, sit with Christ in adoration and do works of charity for the poor and needy?
In The Lord’s Prayer, we pray “…and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13). Trusting in the hope that the Lord will deliver us and redeem us, we should “… pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus…” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus reveals the mystery of His redemptive power on the cross. We celebrate the hope and joy of His Resurrection by staying awake and vigilant for His coming. May all hearts ready themselves to receive Christ.
Joyfully,
Faith Chong & Philip Tan
Questions for Reflection
Are you searching for meaning and purpose? Have you asked why you were created and the point of your existence on earth?
Do you live your life waiting for a cataclysmic sign before you can be convinced that Jesus is coming?
Or do you live each day with the expectation of meeting God anytime, choosing to live in the Kingdom of God every waking moment of your life?