Walking with Jesus: First Sunday of Advent C

For Sunday, December 1, 2024

Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36

Jeremiah starts out today's reading with, “The days are coming …” [Jeremiah 33:14]. We could continue the thought: Yes, Thanksgiving is gone, it was nice with family and all. We’ve decorated the house; shopping now begins … then the Christmas tree and the manger scene ... and the exhaustion will end in 23 days or so. So much time is left, and it will get more hectic ... with parties … more shopping … gifts … Christmas cards ... and on and on. And we haven’t even included the watching and waiting for the coming of Christ. But the reality is that we secretly long for the presence of Christ each day. Where do we get sidetracked? So many decorations … manger scenes … caring and giving to others the expressions that say, I love you … thanks for all … that somehow, so easily, manage to bypass me. Why? What can I do to keep me focused? We think — even plan — but the bottom line is that CHRIST IS WITH ME EACH DAY, LOVING ME, CARING FOR ME, PREPARING ME FOR HEAVEN — THE PROMISED GOAL OF MY EXISTENCE. LIVE THIS! The readings keep us focused — watching and waiting — right now, for the entire Advent season and beyond.

WE HEAR THE PROMISES MADE BY GOD:

• The coming of the Lord, the Son of Man.
• The manner of living for those to whom the promises are made. (You and me!)
• These promises are not limited to the original communities.
• These promises are intended for all who open themselves to them. (You and me!)

Listen with our hearts and minds: The Lord our God is speaking to you and me … right now, today … He speaks of His love.

Jeremiah chapters 30-33 are filled with hope. These prophecies anticipate the restoration of the monarchy. The leadership of Judah’s last kings seen in Jeremiah 21:11-23:8 is disastrous with unjust and oppressive rules in addition to dangerous conditions of siege and invasions of Babylon. The prophet does not trust those in power who do not dispense justice or rescue the oppressed. God is just, so how has the disconnect happened? When all political groups were united under David, that was THEN … which has been replaced with the NOW. Jeremiah insists that the days of future salvation will be safe and secure. It is now that way also, Jeremiah, but it assuredly will come. Jerusalem is the religious center, and there will come a Davidic ruler under whose reign will be a call for a recommitment to the Lord. God will deliver them to safety through their salvation which is the righteousness of God.

Paul explains what is needed: The Thessalonians (and all his listeners, including you and me) must expand our love daily. He calls this selfless love — AGAPE. His followers (you and me too) must realize Jesus will return. We are to cultivate holiness and a blameless way of living, incorporating love throughout. The Thessalonians must walk, live, and conduct themselves in a manner that aims to please God. The Lord Jesus is the authority for the Christian morality. Remember WWJD? What would Jesus do? I am to be Jesus ... God is giving me help (grace), and I am I noticing this. Do I want to listen, or do I think my plans are more important or “better?”

All of Paul’s letters are written before Jerusalem’s destruction around 70 A.D. Luke writes his gospel about 15 years later, around 85 A.D. Jesus’ believers have realized that Jesus may not return in their lifetime, so there is “delay of the Parousia.” Luke hopes to encourage his readers by giving signs that precede the Son of Man’s arrival. Luke is positive: The end won’t be a destruction; it means redemption is imminent. So they and we should not crouch down in fear. Paul is advising that we should avoid any kind of behavior that might jeopardize our watchfulness, whether it be “… drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.” [Luke 21:34]

As foretold by several Israelite prophets (Amos 5:18, Isaiah 13:6, Jeremiah 46:10), “the day” will be a day of punishment for the wicked but a day of salvation for the faithful. It is ominous and threatening because no one knows exactly when it will dawn, and therefore we must be ready … have faith ... be consistent in loving, caring, and compassion ... and PRAY and ASK for the grace we need … that I need.

So I reflect on:

• How am I preparing right now in my Advent waiting period? How have I addressed my hoping to the Lord so far?
• What is my deepest longing today? How does that longing touch my personal longing for the Christ child?

Sacred Space 2025 states:

“In Advent we are to prepare to celebrate the coming of our savior Jesus before coming into our world as one of us. St. Luke advises us to live that we can stand with confidence before our God when He comes a second time to judge the world. May this time of Advent be for us a time of renewal and deeper faith.

“Our God is always inviting us to come to Him and to place Him at the center of our lives. Do I always put Him first in my life? God can never take second place.”