First Sunday of Advent: A: November 27, 2022

            ADVENT PREPARATIONS

First Reading: Isaiah 2: 1-5

Second Reading: Romans 13: 11-14

Gospel Reading: Matthew 24: 37-44

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah gives a vision of universal peace with the coming of Messiah. At that time, people of Israel experience great distress and pain. He speaks about a future messianic kingdom where all people will be united and will enjoy great peace. We are challenged by Isaiah to work for a new world order which is inaugurated by the coming of Messiah, Christ the Lord.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. Paul reminds us that it is time to wake up since our salvation is close at hand. We need to turn away from the darkness of evil and walk in the light of Christ to be true witnesses of that light. 

The coming of Jesus the Messiah                                                         Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. We are urged to stay awake because we do not know the day or the hour when Christ the Lord comes again. Jesus uses an unusual imagery of a thief coming at night. He warns us not to be engrossed in worldliness so as to forget what is most important - doing God's will. We need to be alert and watchful at all times. Through this metaphor of a thief coming unexpectedly, Jesus instructs us the following: 1. We are warned to be vigilant. 2. The time of the coming of the Lord cannot be predicted or calculated. 3. Disciples are to be engrossed with  their assigned mission but not to spend time in speculations.                 We know from experience that thieves often break in and steal when we least expect them. Secrecy is their best weapon. Similarly, the day and the hour of Christ's coming is unknown to us. That necessarily implies that our lives must be a constant preparation for His coming. Hence, the first Sunday of Advent sets our sights on life's horizon when Christ comes to us again. For many people today, the presence of Christ means very little. It is our duty to make Christ's presence real for the unbelievers and doubters. Advent firmly gives us the message: 'Stay awake...watch because Christ is certainly coming into our lives'. 

"Only that day dawns to which we are awake." - H.D. Thoreau

"Arise, awake and stop not, until the goal is reached." - Swami Vivekananda