First Sunday of Advent
Since Thanksgiving is over and since black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday are barely behind us, to talk about the end times again as the gospel reading does, is very difficult. Moreover, since we are at the beginning of the new liturgical year it is difficult for us to focus on the end times. In fact, I experienced ‘apocalyptical fatigue’ as reflected on today’s readings. The mood of the readings also contradicts the jovial, frolicking, almost playful tone that the secular world associates with Christmas. For a serious Christian too, advent is about a joyful expectation. So what shall we do about these readings that talk about being ready for the unexpected arrival of Christ?
First, the readings are not as misplaced as we think it might be. Even the very popular holiday song “Santa Claus is coming to town” has a warning attached to it. It says, “You better watch out!” This secular song reminds us that in the midst of all fun and frolic there is an ethical demand made on all of us. The song ends by asking us to “be good” even it is only for“goodness sake!”
So as I hear today’s readings, I hear God saying something very similar to us. Christ can come to us in so many different ways: the end of the world might happen; any of us could die between now and Christmas; and then, Christmas itself is a preparation for a renewed coming of Christ. I think scripture is telling us that as disciples we can never let our guard down. Not only during advent, but all year around a disciple must be prepared to meet his or her God.
Let me suggest three ways in which we can prepare ourselves for Christmas this advent season.
a)Prayer and Scripture. Anybody who is even a little serious about observing advent as a time of preparation cannot overlook the scriptures. The best place for us to even begin to approach the scriptures for advent is the daily mass readings. These readings are very carefully chosen to gradually prepare us for the great climax of the birth of Christ. The psalm accompanying the readings can become our prayer of response to God’s word. The best resource I can point you toward is our parish adult faith formation website: www.itemissaest.org, or The Magnificat, or Word Among Us. So I am inviting you to join me in committing to read and pray these scripture each day. I am suggesting that each us of spend 20 minutes is quiet scripture reading and prayer each day all the way up to Christmas. That adds up to 500 minutes before Christmas. How about you wrap that as a gift and bring it at the manger when you come for your Christmas mass. I also want to invite you to our parish advent retreat on the 15th of December. You will find details of this retreat in our bulletin.
b)Living a balanced and just life. Just when you and I were very busy shopping around for the best deals available on Black Friday, there was a fire in a garment factory in Bangladesh and 112 people were killed in that fire. You might ask that this has got to do with us? An Associated Press reporter searching the ruins of the factory Wednesday found the charred remains of clothing bearing major American and European brands, including Walmart's Faded Glory and Teddy Smith, and brands owned by hip-hop star Sean Combs. There also were account books containing entries for orders to produce clothes for Disney and Sears. These companies now admit that the sub-contractor was not supervised well and the owner of the factory now says that he did not know that he had to install emergency exits in the building. Today, there are 4000 garment factories in Bangladesh where underpaid and overworked workers pay the price for the cheap deals we get for Christmas. Do you see something wrong with this picture?
That is why on the very first Sunday of Advent, the very first reading begins with the theme of justice. And listen to these words, from Isaiah, “In those days, in that time, will raise up for David a just shoot; he shall do what is right and just in the land. ln those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure; this is what they shall call her: “The LORD our justice."”
Christmas is a season for generosity and giving. And it is commendable when we set aside some of our resources for charity. But justice is a completely different thing. Justice means correcting those structures that commodify people. So this advent when we buy gifts, when we think of our relationship with other people, and when we think how we can make a difference, think about living a more balanced and just life. This advent let us remember that as much as God is love, God is also justice.
c)Focus on the family. In our parish, we are observing the year of being Church at Home and Home at Church. I am wondering about the kind of things we could do as a family that would have meaning. One of the main points I raised at our September retreat was that our home is a sacrament. The reason for this is the fact that God came into the home of Mary and Joseph as a baby. By being born into a home Jesus sanctified all homes and made the home a place where God dwells. This advent then, please focus on praying as a family, making time for the family, getting off our gadgets to be with each other. Do not let the materialism and consumerism pull that family in many directions so that you do not even get to enjoy each other’s company. This Christmas also connect with your neighbors and build community right where you live. Set a nativity scene in your home and may be it can become your prayer corner. Either way, let your home truly be a place where Christ find room and love.
I said earlier that Christ can come to us in many ways. Today, Christ comes to us in this Eucharist. May Christ find a home in us and he invites us to be at home with him, Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph