1st Sunday of Advent: Advent: His Coming

11-20-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

Mt 24:37-44

The word ADVENT means coming – the Coming of Christ – but not the coming with His birth on Christmas. Going through the readings reveals His Second Coming. Jesus says that the day of His arrival is a mystery known only to the Father. Seers and self-proclaimed prophets, or safe to say that no human being knows this, no spiritual beings like the angels, even the Son of Man, have to wait on the Father to reveal when this is to take place.

There are things best reserved for the FATHER - like the seats of honor that the Zebedee sons requested (Mt. 20:23). Jesus first came on the day of His birth, incarnate and born of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the first coming – the Son of God shed blood on the cross, died and on the third day rose again from the dead. But before doing so, He instituted the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the sacrament of our salvation accomplished by Christ on the cross. It is also a sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for the work of creation. In the Eucharistic sacrifice, the whole of creation loved by God is presented to the Father through the death and the Resurrection of Christ. The incarnation is the first coming, and the Eucharist - His real presence is the constant advent.

The second coming points to what’s essential, what is important. What really matters and inviting us to think seriously about meeting with the just judge and savior. In the Gospel, Jesus is teaching us not to live lives as if the “last things” do not exist - death, resurrection, judgment, heaven, and hell – inviting us to live in the light of the second coming and the reality of eternal life. The second advent gives us the virtue of hope which brings us true joy. The prophet Isaiah (1st reading) announces the divine promise on which our hopes rest: God Himself will gather into the heavenly Jerusalem countless people from every nation; in their life followed the ways of God. Advent is an opportunity to examine our lives and the two options before us: to live in comfort and sin; or in vigilance and righteousness. Since we do not know when the Lord is coming, make every moment count, and meaningful; and not be complacent as if death is not certain. With the uncertainty of death and the second coming, the Boy Scout motto is a good reminder: Always be prepared. Advent also reminds us to prepare to commemorate the Birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. The acceptable time of salvation and the time to welcome the Baby Jesus in-to our hearts and lives. It is the time for peace and reconciliation.

Peace is yours when you have laid all things at His feet; when you have placed all things in His hands; when you have entrusted all things to His keeping; when you have released all things into His care; when you trust Him no matter what.

Let us pray that the Lord helps us be ready for all His Coming, for anything and any time.

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