First Sunday of Advent
Also Read: Mass Readings for 27 November 2022 Mass Reading Reflection for 27 November 2022
Gospel: Matthew 24: 37-44
“The Son of Man will come”, is the concluding words of today’s readings. Starting with the end in mind is the best strategy for achieving greatness. As we are beginning a new Liturgical year mother Church is helping us to focus on the end. The coming of Jesus, the Son of God, is the focus of the liturgical year. Like it or not His visits are surprising visits. But we have little room to complain as He has already asked us to, ‘be prepared’, and to ‘stay awake’. He has warned us ahead of time that it is going to be a surprise visit.
His incarnation was foretold through centuries by scores of prophets and holy men. And the Jews were waiting in anticipation for the coming of Messiah for centuries. Meanwhile, they had fabricated an image of a Messiah to suit their ambitions. They missed him upon his arrival, just because he did not fit their image of the Messiah.
“The son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.” Jesus has packed a surprise for His coming. So, he uses terms like ‘be prepared’, ‘stay awake’, and so on. Take it seriously to be prepared for His eventual coming. His glorious return is not limited to His final coming alone. He visits us regularly in a more humble manner.
It is the beginning of the Christmas season. We are gearing up to celebrate the arrival of the Son of Man as a miserable child of a poor couple who hardly found a place for birth. The Jewish world was expecting a Messiah born in a palace. Let us not repeat the same mistake. Jesus has warned us well to look for Him among the hungry, the destitute, the naked, the sick, and the prisoners (Mt 25:31-46). Be prepared to encounter Jesus among the sick, and the poor as he suggested. Stay awake to take care of Jesus among the poor, sick, and needy. Be prepared to welcome Jesus every day.
Christmas is the season of lights. Here I am reminded of my childhood. During my childhood, we depended on kerosene lamps for lights. There was no electricity back then in our area. If the lamp was lit late to the night, it meant that one of the family members is expected to come back anytime. Once the last member of the family is home off goes the lamp. The lit lamp simply meant, there was someone at home staying awake in anticipation of the arrival of a beloved one.
Let the Christmas decoration mean that we are eagerly waiting for the arrival of Jesus, irrespective of the hour of His coming. Let us be awake and prepared for His arrival! He is pleased to walk in and stay with those who are awake and prepared to receive Him (Rev 3:20). Our prayers, our charity, our repentance, and our consistent Bible reading keep us prepared to welcome Him anytime. For those awake and prepared, His arrival is always a pleasing Christmas. For others, His arrival is a dreadful judgment hour.
As individuals, as families, and as communities let us be awake and prepared to repeat Christmas daily.
Amen.
