Homily 1st Sunday of Advent - November 27, 2022

Readings can be found here. 

So you too must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.  Our Gospel tells us that when Jesus comes again, we may not notice until it’s too late.  Like in Noah’s day, we’ll be living our everyday lives right up to the last moment.  Jesus’ coming will surprise us.  We should be prepared for Jesus’ arrival at any time.  It’s time for us awake and stay awake.

We don’t know when Jesus will come again.  However, we remember His being born in the flesh on Christmas.  In this season of Advent, we prepare to celebrate His light coming into the world.  What are some of the things we do to prepare for Christmas?  I’m sure we all have our to do lists.  We may hang lights outside and decorate our yards.  How many had their lights up before Thanksgiving?  We make Christmas lists and shop for gifts for others.  We clean and decorate our homes, put up a tree and hang ornaments.  Many bake all kinds of treats to share with friends and family.  My family looks forward to the cutout cookies my wife makes each year.  We also spend time with friends, family, and co-workers.  It can seem like there’s some party or gathering to attend every weekend.

Besides being prepared, our Gospel also tells us to stay awake.  Paul reminds us that we need to awake from sleep.  The night is advanced and the day is at hand.  Our readings don’t mean that we should go without sleep.  They’re telling us to stay on watch.  When I was in the Navy, we had a watch rotation when we were at sea.  We called it “five and dimes” because we would be on watch for five hours and off watch for ten.  When we were watch, we focused on the safe operation of the ship.  We also stayed aware of the tactical situation to be ready to perform our mission.  We would perform our day to day or routine duties when off watch.

Our usual preparations for Christmas are similar to off watch duties.  They help us to celebrate Christmas but are outward signs.  Like in the days of Noah, they’re typical things we do every Christmas.  Are we taking time to be on watch?  Focusing on Jesus to prepare ourselves spiritually for Christmas?  Do we reflect on the meaning of Jesus birth to us?  Just as we prepare our homes for Christmas, we should prepare our hearts for Christmas as well.  We spend time cleaning our homes to put up a tree or decorations.  We can clean our hearts and souls as well.  Advent is a perfect time to take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  What better way to start the new Church year than to have our sins forgiven?

Just as we put lights up on our homes, we can become a light to others.  Nativity is a generous parish when it comes to helping others in need.  Besides our giving tree, we can contribute to the food shelf and clothing center.  We can find other ways to be giving of our time, talent, and treasure.  Just as we gather with friends and family, we can take time to visit those that don’t often receive visitors.

As we make time for others, we should also make time for Jesus.  We can set aside time each week for prayer or quiet reflection.  One of my deacon brothers said recently that the language of God is silence.  We need to find quiet time to listen to God speaking to us.  One idea may be to make Sunday a sabbath day.  No Christmas shopping or holiday decorating.  No Christmas parties or events.  Just a day of prayer and time with family.  If a full Sunday sabbath is too difficult, then perhaps a partial day.  We can set aside a few hours on a Sunday dedicated to Jesus.

Jesus tells us to be prepared because the Son of Man will come at a time we don’t expect.  We need to be on watch to be ready.  Advent is a time to prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth.  We do many things to prepare our homes to celebrate Christmas.  How can we prepare our hearts as well?  And after we’ve celebrated the Christmas season, what can we do to stay on watch for Jesus throughout the year?