The First Sunday of Advent (Year C), Nov. 30, 2003
Zech. 14:4-9; Psalm 50 or Psalm 50:1-6; 1 Thess. 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-31
In recent months, there have been plenty of signs: The planet Mars has been exceptionally bright, storms on the sun produced a dazzling display of the northern lights here on earth, and November featured a total eclipse of the moon. To us, these are all easily explainable phenomena. But to people living in the first century, such incidents in the heavens often were seen as harbingers of epic events in the affairs of God and mortals.
Indeed, our Lord’s own birth was heralded by a star.
The early Church lived in expectation that the world would end at any moment. The prolonged delay over 20 centuries has dulled our sense of expectancy. In addition, we have scientific explanations for unusual astronomical events. Likewise, “distress among nations” has been a staple of human experience. The simple reality is that the appointed signs have been seen frequently, but the Son of Man still has not returned “with power and great glory.”
Furthermore, our experience of the Church year has subtly altered our perception of what is central. We have been taught to think of Advent as the beginning of the Church year. So, inevitably, we have come to link Advent with the coming of the next season, Christmas, rather than the coming of the kingdom of God at the end of time. The idea of the kingdom of God is pushed aside and our Lord’s incarnate life becomes the main thing. In that context, our faith inevitably focuses on earthly life — becoming his disciple, following his example — and salvation becomes a matter of belonging to the Church now, rather than looking forward to a day which will be a time of cosmic reckoning, as well as personal redemption.
Our focus on the present tends to obscure the point of those signs which Jesus speaks about. He says that when we see these things we will know that the kingdom is “near.” He actually says it twice: “your redemption is drawing near ... the kingdom is near.” He says “near” but we think “now,” and because the promised kingdom has not yet arrived in all its power we disregard it. But the truth is that these signs, occurring again and again in every generation, are a continual reminder to us to prepare as the kingdom draws near.
The core message of Jesus is that the day of the Lord is near, and the conflict all around us is an ongoing reminder that we must not withdraw and hope for the best, but “stand up and raise your heads.” Advent is a season much like Lent, a season of remembrance, repentance, and renewal, that we may be prepared to meet our God when he comes.
Look It Up
Advent is sometimes referred to as a “little Lent.” At one time it was just as long as Lent. There are still traces of the longer Advent in the lectionary. Look at the Sunday readings for the two Sundays before Advent and find the Advent themes there.
Think About It
Advent is a season of preparation like Lent. What are you preparing for and how do you prepare?
Next Sunday
The Second Sunday of Advent (Year C), Dec. 7, 2003
Baruch 5:1-9; Psalm 126; Phil. 1:1-11; Luke 3:1-6
