Today's Message: 1st Sunday of Advent A

Isaiah 2: 1-5, Romans 13: 11-14; Matthew 24: 37-44

Advent has arrived.  We know what it means:  Christmas will be upon us real soon.  How true the old standard:   ‘You better watch out…You better not cry…Your better not pout…I’m telling you why…’  

We know this is the chorus and the song: Santa Claus is coming to town  has two verses and we know them both.  I’m sure most of us have heard this played in stores for weeks.  I first heard it in Cracker Barrel on the third week of November.  We hear this and old memories come alive coupled with a new mind set:  I have to get busy.  Our commercialism has set in with the ‘obligations’ to help, care and remember those close to us and those in need.  It ushers in the RUSH SEASON.  It is accompanied by the troubling thought, ‘Will I ever be ready…’  Somehow we always make it…and we try to focus on ‘living with God and being grateful and peaceful’.  Lofty goals are derailed by the hectic living of these special days.  So here we are entering into Jesus’ story.  Each of our stories interlock with His.  And, most importantly, our story takes meaning from His. Once again, we are challenged to pause, even stop a little as we can and enter into the challenge of Advent and Christmas.  Adventus in Latin means to await the arrival of someone or something of great importance.  Everyone knows this means the preparations for the birth of Jesus. There is a secondary meaning not often thought about and this is preparing for the Second Coming of Christ in Glory.  What can help us prepare this year?  

We are to be other Jesus’, to show our care, love, support and gratitude for the people who lead, love and have touched us.  How can we do this?  A thought came to mind — St. Patrick’s Breastplate written in the 5th century is a prayer of protection attributed to him.  Can I make this personal to me this season?

“Christ by me, Christ before me, Christ behind me

Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me

Christ on my left hand, Christ on my right

Christ in the breast of all who behold me

Christ on the tongues of all who talk to me

Christ in every eye that sees me

Christ in every ear that hears me”  

Todays readings give us a chance to stop and refocus and ‘Put Christ into Christmas’….but He never left.  I did and so have others special to me; how can I help refocus my life?

Isaiah is denouncing social sin but he brings hope.  All we have to do is to look at what God has in store for His creation, His people:  

 ~~justice between nations

~~an end to war and its ravages,

~~peace and prosperity when people turn their efforts to taking care of God’s creation

    and each other. 

How is this possible…by removing the obstacles to God’s love and God’s way to love and BE His people of love.  It each person just takes time with God’s way of love; neighbors, nations, will experience a world changed for the better.  Isn’t this what our ‘Christmas greeting’ and ‘joy’ is to each person?  Somehow this season has a way of lifting us up.  Isaiah’s prevailing lesson is by latching on to God’s way, people will choose life rather that hate — peace rather than war.  (a living of St. Patrick’s Breastplate)

Paul is writing to the Christians at Rome and it was a time of darkness and uncertainty.  The infant Church was being persecuted.  Paul is pointing to a brighter future but we will have to endure the cross, daily even.  All who endure the cross and help others with carrying and living their crosses will one day wear the crown of glory and love in God’s presence and care.  We have to wake up.  The time of the Lord’s coming is way sooner than we think or even want.  Paul calls us to discard our sinful patterns and tendencies.  The bottom line is that our suffering is earthly, but our hope is eternal.  Advent is the time to ‘put on the Lord Jesus’, put of the Breastplate of St. Patrick.

The Gospel from Matthew sets a great theme for our Advent:  we have to be watchful and alert.  Jesus is facing a difficult time.  He had just forecast the destruction of the Temple and told us that all sorts of calamities will be coming.  For Him, it is the Wednesday of Holy Week.  Shortly He will experience betrayal and abandonment.  He will be put on trial.  Each of His followers disappears.  Jesus is led out to face His death on the cross. He knows the time of His death.  We do not know ours.  Jesus is telling us to be awake and alert.  Prepare not in fear, for the end of our lives, the end of the world and the second coming of God in total glory.  Many have no intention of preparing.  Jesus tells us to prepare.  How?  We look to St. Patrick’s Breastplate again and let those words and realities sink into our souls.   

The point of Jesus’ parable is not difficult to figure out.  If the owner knew the exact time someone is going to break into his house, he knows what to do.  Jesus is telling us that our lives lived-out are filled with challenges. Each of us must live with a constant state of being prepared. The people of Noah’s time were too involved with themselves and not in God’s plan.  Isaiah is telling us to look to a utopian age when all peoples will come together and be led to our judgment home.  Paul is telling us that first we have to wake up,  “The night is advanced, the day is at hand.”  Advent is the time that we set our house in order and realistically look at the Big Picture that Jesus preaches.  Unfortunately we live through so many emergencies, like during the hurricane season…or the few weeks of severe Southern heat…or the floods… that we can be caught off guard.  We cannot be caught off guard.  How do we prevent this….by being ready to meet Jesus each day…He is in our daily lives.  So often we don’t look or don’t recognize Him because of the routines and interruptions of daily living.  Can I make an effort this year?   Go to St. Patrick’s Breastplate…there is much wisdom and a good reflective direction for us this Advent.

So I reflect on:

• Does the morality of the world around me reflect the scene in Noah’s time?  Can I be an instrument of change and leadership?
• Do I live my life as if the second coming is imminent?  Why or Why not?
• How am I welcoming Jesus into my heart?  Do I realize He’s always there?  Do I spend quiet time with Him there?
• What will become most important in my life if I truly live as if I am constantly preparing for the second coming?  What would I change?

Sacred Space 2020 states:

   “As we begin our new church year in Advent, we are reminded that we are to be ready and looking forward to the Lord’s appearance.  This call can come upon us suddenly.  However, a person who is watchful and full of hope will be quick to recognize the Lord when He appears.  Even in day-to-day life, Jesus comes to us through people, situations, even our own prayer.  Today, pray expecting to see Him.

   Jesus desires our friendship when He calls us and offers His friendship. And this offer continues throughout life.  How can you develop your friendship with Jesus here and now?”