Gospel Lk. 21:25-28, 34-36
Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Homily
Today we begin that part of the liturgical year dedicated to the celebration of WAITING. Waiting is not something which we normally celebrate; we like to have things instantly. Nature however tells us that waiting is important, the long process of maturation is essential if created beings, persons and others are to come to perfection. There is nothing worse than a forced ripe mango or any fruit for that matter. We have to learn to wait in all aspects of life be these aspects the professional, emotional intellectual, physical etc. Being compared to a forced ripened fruit is not very complementary.
Waiting however can be very difficult. Sometimes we wait in fear and trembling and so the Gospel chosen for this first Sunday of Advent tells us; “There will be signs in the sun, the Moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
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Or we can be so caught up with our own preoccupations that we have no thought for the future; Beware that your hearts are not caught up in “the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.”
Then there is the disciples’ way of waiting which is one of tremendous hope, not trying to short circuit the processes, but awaiting with hope because we know that redemption is at hand;
Waiting is always for something or someone. What do we await? All of us wait for the happiness which is our deepest desire. We search for it often in the wrong places and we lose time and energy searching but never finding, waiting but with no reward. For us, disciples of Jesus Christ, the search and the wait is always for a person, Jesus Christ who alone can bring us the happiness which we seek.
Advent then is the time in which we celebrate “waiting”; waiting without letting our hearts become contaminated by “carousing and drunkenness” or be blinded by “the anxieties of daily life.” To live with an attitude of attentive waiting so that we recognize the signs which tell us that the time is drawing near is to live counter culturally. It is to live patiently, with reverence for the essential processes which bring to fulfillment our deepest desires. It is to resist the temptation to instantaneity in all aspects of our life. This is what Mary did as she awaited the birth of her son, the saviour of Israel. This is what those who died virgin martyrs did. This is what every single one of us is called to do. Let this period of Advent then teach us how to wait in hope.
Prayer
All powerful and ever-loving God, today your Word reminds us that in spite of the trials and tribulations of life, you are there and that You are bringing this world inexorably to its fulfilment. Help us to be people of hope, people who do not try to save time by short circuiting the natural processes of life. Help us to understand that true fulfilment only comes when we have waited, certain that God will bring things to the end that God desires. We ask this through the intercession of Mary our Mother who waited and Jesus, your Son. Amen
