Cycle B - Year I:  

30 November 2014: 1st Sunday of Advent 

(Liturgical color: Violet)

Mark 13:33-37

A New Beginning!

Do you know that in the Catholic Church we can actually greet each other a "Happy New Year" this Sunday, November 30? That is not unusual  because we begin a new liturgical year in our Journey of Faith with the Advent season. It is the start of a new stage of our worldly pilgrimage to the house of the Father.

Thus, advent is a period of preparation, extending over 4 Sundays before Christmas. The word "advent" comes from the Latin "advenio", meaning "to come to", and refers to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Church wants us to reflect on advent in three ways: first, and the most obvious, in celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas; second, the coming of Christ in our lives through grace and the Sacrament of the Eucharist or Holy Communion; and finally, the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ at the end of time.

The theme of the Gospel narratives from St. Mark is to be vigilant and alert: "Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come." (Mk 13:33) We hear these words (or their equivalent) at the beginning of every Advent season. Obviously, these are words from the past that direct us to the future. This interplay of past and future nicely reveals the character of Advent, and of Catholic life in general. Because how we receive our Lord at his birth will determine how we respond to Him at his return, or second coming.

As Christians our attitude is that of faith and trust, rather than fear for the final coming. The first Sunday of Advent invites us to be awake, be prepared, hope and trust in God's loving mercy.

To help us better understand the urgency with which we should anticipate the Lord's return in glory, Jesus compares as to servants awaiting their master's return but not knowing exactly when it will occur. This uncertainty should not leave us dreading the future. Rather, it should impel us to live in such a way that whenever Jesus returns, we will be found ready and waiting for Him. Our whole lives should be an ongoing preparation to meet the King of kings whenever He should decide to return.

How do we utilize Advent to better preparation? 

Here are some suggestions: First, undertaking voluntary penances during the season of Advent by availing of the Sacrament of Reconciliation; Second, dedicating a portion of what we might spend on gifts toward charitable causes as a way of mortifying the secular tendency to overindulge during this season; Finally, we should dedicate ourselves to intensified prayer, for example, meditating on the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. All these are among the most effective ways of being watchful and alert during the Advent Season.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.