Advent Sunday I

"Watch; you do not know on what day your Lord is coming!"

Introduction:

Advent is a season of waiting and watching.

Paul, in 1Thessalonians 1:1-3, describes the inner conversion of the Thessalonians as a "work of faith and labor of love, and steadfastness of hope." Later in verse 9-10 he explains how this inner conversion is expressed outwardly in their lives. They "turned to God from idols," they "served the living and true God" and they "waited for his Son from heaven." It is the steadfastness of hope and active waiting for the return of Jesus that this week's Scriptures address.
       
As we enter the season of Advent the eyes of our heart naturally turn to Jesus' incarnation that we will celebrate and make present once again in a few weeks. How marvelous is the story of our salvation. A people not only conquered politically but also conquered by unbelief and sin, rescued in a most unique and extraordinary way; by the birth of a defenseless babe. The coming Messiah-Savior was almost missed by Israel in spite of their years of prayer, watchfulness and anticipation, for he came in a most unexpected way and at an unexpected time. As we celebrate that First Advent of Jesus with all its unexpected miraculous elements  it should remind us that his second Advent, his impending return, could also take place at anytime, in an equally unexpected and miraculous way.
       
The Thessalonian Christians, whom we previously mentioned, waited for Jesus' return from heaven with "assurance" and "steadfast hope." However, their waiting did not consist of sitting around twiddling their thumbs. Their's was an active anticipation that propelled them into the tasks of proclaiming the Gospel and reaping a harvest for the Kingdom of God. Because they knew that Jesus could return at any moment they were genuinely sincere about their faith and prudently active in sharing their faith throughout the region, even to the point of patiently enduring persecution.
       
The Second Reading gives us good advice on how to prepare for Jesus' Second Advent,  "For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light" As we celebrate the Advent Season we should become increasing aware that our salvation is nearer than ever. Salvation from the penalty of sin and enslavement to sin is, of course, already present in Jesus Christ and through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. However our fallen nature, like an unholy gravity, exerts a continuing downward pull that we must labor to resist. Therefore, each day that we live we are a day closer to the fullness of salvation when we shall be freed from this downward force and set forever free to  enjoy the God of our salvation. The Advent Season should remind us to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. "Wherefore, let us honor this sacred day, the day on which the author of our salvation appeared. Whom the wise men revered as an infant in his crib, let us worship as all-powerful in heaven. Just as they offered to the Lord mystical kinds of gifts from their treasures, let us bring forth from our hearts things that are worthy of God. Although he himself bestows all good thing, he nevertheless asks for the fruit of our effort. For the kingdom of heaven comes not to those who sleep but to those who work and watch according to the Lord's command." (Leo the Great as quoted in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, Volume IX)

Jesus' Second Advent is as sure as was Jesus' First Advent. Two of this week's Scripture readings alert us to the unexpectedness of Jesus' Second Advent. We are encouraged  therefore to "watch" and "be ready." Many Israelites missed out on the joyousness of Jesus' First Advent and were unable to exalt with people like Anna and Simeon who had remained alert and watchful for the Messiah even into old age. What a shame it will be, we will miss out on so much, if we, due to complacency and preoccupation with other things, are unprepared for his return.

First Reading
Isaiah 2:1-5

1  The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2  It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,
3  and many peoples shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
    to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4  He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Second Reading
Romans 13:11-14

11 Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed;
12 the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;
13 let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Gospel Reading
Matthew 24:37-44

37 For as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
38 In (those) days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
39 They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be (also) at the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.
42 Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.
44 So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

Bible Study

37 For as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
38 In (those) days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
39 They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be (also) at the coming of the Son of Man.
     -----This warning about the deluge is significant: it does not say that men were sinning,
     but that they were engaged in innocent secular occupations. Their sin was to give no thought
     to impending catastrophe. The disciples are warned against that interest in secular business
    that makes them forget the parousia.

40 Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.
42 Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
     -----The parousia will manifest the difference between people; a difference that is not now
     apparent (see also Luke 17:34-35). Two men plowing or two women grinding meal share
     the same occupation and look alike externally, but God knows the difference and will make
     it clear. The precise meaning of "taken" and "left" is not made clear, nor need it be. Those
     who are "taken" will be taken because they are ready; they have shown the vigilance that is
    necessary for the coming of the Son of Man.

43 Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.
44 So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.
    -----It will come without warning. This is a rather bold comparison of the Son of Man with
    a thief in the night. The same imagery is used in 1 Thessalonians 5:2.

Meditation

Do you know what it feels like when you expect a friend to come whom you haven't seen for some time, and he delays? Or when you get excited because you are anticipating some important event to take place, and you wake up in the morning with that thought on your mind?

The Lord Jesus expects us to watch in great anticipation for the most important event of all -- his return in glory at the end of time! The prophets foretold the coming of the Lord when he shall judge between the nations and decide for many peoples (Isaiah 2:5). The Advent season reminds us that we are living in the end times. The end times begins with the first coming of Christ (his Incarnation which we celebrate at Christmas) and culminates in his final return on the Day of Judgment. Jesus spoke of his return in glory at the end of time as a for certain fact.  Jesus' audience understood the title, Son of Man, as referring to the Messianic prophecy of the Annointed King who comes to establish an everlasting kingdom over the earth (see Daniel 7:13). While the second coming is for certain, the time is unknown. The Lord's judgment comes swiftly and often unexpectedly.  Jesus warns his listeners to not be caught off guard when that day arrives. It will surely come in God's good time! Do you earnestly pray for God's kingdom to come -- here and now!

What does Jesus mean when he says that one will be taken and another left? Having the right friends will not guarantee our entry into heaven.   We can live and work with someone who knows and loves God but they can't answer for our response to God's personal invitation.  Will we accept his kingship and obey his rule in our lives? Will we be ready to meet the Lord face to face when he calls us to give an account of ourselves?  Isn't it tempting to pass off personal responsibility to someone else, such as spouse, kin, or friend?  But God excepts no excuses.   God's judges each person individually according to how they have lived their life and  responded to his grace.  No one can discharge his or her duty by proxy or association.  The good news is that God is merciful and he gives grace and help to those who call upon him. He gives us the grace to know him personally, to accept his lordship over our lives, to live each day for his kingdom, and to be ready to receive him when he returns.  God's judgment is good news for those who are ready. Their reward is God himself, the source of all truth, beauty, goodness, love and everlasting life. The people in Noah's time ignored the Lord's warning of judgment. They missed the boat, literally! Whose boat are you taking -- the world's boat to quick success and fleeting happiness or God's boat to unending peace and fellowship with him in heaven? Those whose hope is firmly anchored in heaven will not be disappointed when God's judgment comes. They rejoice even now that they will see the Lord in his glory! Is your hope firmly placed in God and his kingdom?

What can a thief in the night teach us about the kingdom of God? Jesus loved to tell stories (in the form of parables), many which ended with a dramatic and unexpected change of circumstances.  Can you imagine a thief calling ahead to tell his victim when he would strike?  Should we be surprised to see a thief making off with a great treasure left unguarded? What does this say about the treasure which God has entrusted to you and me? When God offers us his kingdom, he gives us a treasure beyond measure (see the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price in Matthew 13:44-46). What is this treasure of immeasurable value?  The Lord himself is our treasure and the kingdom he offers us is a kingdom of peace, joy, and righteousness. The Lord offers us a relationship with him as his sons and daughters and the promise of eternal life as well. The treasure is of far greater value that any earthly treasure and more secure!  But it's possible to lose this treasure if we do not guard what has been
entrusted to us by God.  Is your treasure secure?

Reflections:

·  Please re-read the phrase(s)/sentence(s) that move(s)/touche(s) you.

· For as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
  In (those) days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark.   They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be (also) at the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:37-39)
  -----Would my watchfulness appear ridiculous to people around me, the way Noah's ark did? If so, dare I?

· It is difficult to question what I do routinely, and even more difficult when it appears good.
  For example, I work hard to earn a living for the family I love; however I may forget to ask whether God calls me to work that much, whether I work in a loving manner, and whether I share my earnings with the poor in the ghetto I pass by everyday on the way to work. Do I set some time or get some outside perspectives to help me examine my life?

·  How can the Advent season help us to cultivate an attitude of watchfulness in the midst of a full and busy life?

·  Can you find something in today's gospel that could make feel at peace after the 9/11 event?
  
·  Share what you have done and will continue to do spiritually, mentally and  emotionally as a readiness for His call. What is your feeling while you do that?

To live God's Word this week:

·  Starting from this Advent, try to read one short paragraph of Bible daily if you have not done so.

·  Phone or visit someone that you have put off for some time especially someone who often helps you or takes their time to assist you.

For Youngsters:

·   Put your shoes, clothes into the proper place as an act of helping your parents.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ , you are my hope and salvation.   Help me to never lose sight of the goal of heaven and give me fresh joy and zeal to live each day for your kingdom.