Homily 1st Sunday In Advent - November 28, 2021

 Today's readings can be found here:

            Happy new year!  This weekend is the beginning of a new church year as we start the season of Advent.  And what an unusual start to the season we have with today’s Gospel!  The season of Advent is a time of preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas.  However, our Gospel is about signs in the sun and moon, nations in disarray, people dying of fright, and the second coming of Jesus at the end of the world.  Not what most people think about when they think of the Christmas season, is it?

            If we look at the Gospel and our other readings more closely, we find that they have a great deal to do with this season of Advent.  Our first reading tells us that the days are coming when the Lord will fulfill His promise to Israel and raise up a savior from the house of David.  This promise was brought to fruition with the birth of Jesus.  But first there was a period of waiting and preparation.  Our Gospel speaks of the same thing.  A time is coming when the Lord will return one more.  And we must be vigilant and prepare ourselves for that time as well.  The signs of the end of the world tell us that our redemption is at hand.  The message of the birth of Jesus is the same: our redemption is at hand and has arrived with the birth of the Savior.  We need to be prepared for the coming of Jesus at Christmas in the same way we need to prepare for His coming again.

            How can we prepare for Jesus’ coming this Advent?  I’m sure many of us have begun preparing to celebrate Christmas.  Now that it’s after Thanksgiving, the purchasing of gifts is in full swing.  How many have their Christmas trees and lights up?  Anybody put their outside lights up before Thanksgiving?  We’re probably busy decorating our homes, baking cookies, planning for parties at work or at home, perhaps even getting ready to travel to visit relatives.  And these are all good things.

            But what are we doing to prepare our hearts for Christmas?  Are we keeping our hearts awake and not drowsy as our Gospel says?  Certainly this season can cause much anxiety in our daily lives.  So how do we keep from getting caught by surprise?  The first step is prayer.  Our Gospel says to pray for strength.  Do we take time in this busy season to pray? Not only for strength for ourselves, but for others in our lives that need our prayers.  We can also pray as Paul states in our second reading: that the Lord make us increase and abound in love for one another and all.  What better season of the year to ask the Lord to make us more loving to each other?

            We can also show our love for each other by giving to others in this season.  Not just the usual giving of gifts on Christmas but giving of our time and treasure in different ways.  We can participate in the giving tree or adopt a family and help provide a joyful Christmas for those less fortunate than we.  We can visit those that are unable to get out whether due to illness, COVID restrictions, or lack of family.  We can volunteer in the community to serve those in need.  While we may still be limited in our ability to reach out to others, we can find ways to serve those we can.

            Today’s Gospel asks us to watch for signs for Jesus’ coming because then our redemption will be at hand.  Christmas is a reminder that Jesus has already come and redeemed us.  Are we ready if Jesus were to come again this Christmas?  What are we doing to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus on Christmas day?