HOMILY OF THE 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT — YEAR C

HOMILY OF THE 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT — YEAR C

HOMILY THEME: HOPEFUL ANTICIPATION

BY: Fr Peter Gabriel Okon

Jer 33:14-16; 1 Thess 3:12- 4:2; Lk 21: 25-28.34-36

Today, the Church celebrates the First Sunday of Advent. The Advent season serves as a gateway launching us into the liturgical life of the Church. It is a four weeks of preparations for the celebration of Christmas. A period characterized by joyful and prayerful anticipation of the first coming of our Lord, while equally pointing towards His second and final coming in glory at the end of time. The readings are so chosen to lead us through these preparations in joyful hope.

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This season has two parts; the first begins today and ends on 16th December. This first half focuses more on the theme of the second coming of Christ while the second half from 17th -24th December lays emphasis on the birth and first coming of our Lord at Christmas. These two are linked by the daily coming of the Lord in our lives through His word, the sacraments, the people and events around us. Thus, advent largely reminds us of the two dimensions of our salvation; 1) “the Already” and 2) “the Not Yet”.

“The Already” has to do with the celebration of the Lord’s coming, the daily reception of Him in the Eucharist and “the Not yet” refers to His second coming in glory, where He will judge the living and the dead. Advent reminds us that we live in a time that is sandwiched between the first coming of Christ, born and lived like us, to save us (the Already) and His second coming in glory (the Not yet). Our attitude and response to the Word, Sacraments and the People around us, determines the level of our preparedness for His final coming in glory and our lots at the judgement.

Thus, the readings of today, especially the gospel buttresses and admonishes us on the need for watchful waiting for the Lord at all times. Advent is a season of hope, especially in times like this, when we experience terrible economic and spiritual tumult, we can hope again that Jesus will come to save humanity. We can hope again that Christ’ coming will elevate us from all forms of desperation. We can hope again that the coming of Christ will liberate us from the adulation of materialism and relativism. We can hope again that our brokenness and spiritual paralysis can be restored and resuscitated, if only we can believe again and cast our faith and trust in the expected Messiah. Hope is the reason for the season.

In the first reading from the prophet Jeremiah, the hope of the exilic Israel is renewed and sustained by God Himself. God consoles the Israelites by reminding them that He has not forgotten the promises made to the forefathers. Jeremiah captures it thus, “I will cause a righteous Branch to spring forth for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely”(Jer. 33:15-16a). This speaks of the expected Messiah in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose birth brought renewal to the fallen world. Like the Israelites in exile, no matter the struggles and challenges we may face, we must remember that we have a God who remains faithful to His promises. We have to be consoled in the fact that He will come to our aid. But then, we have to keep watch and pray less we fall into despair and the day of the Lord’s calling meets us unprepared like the unwise virgins in Matthew 25:13.

Dearly beloved being watchful, as the season invites us to do, means not to sleep nor slumber, which will be very inimical and dangerous to our spiritual wellness. To sleep means to loose focus on the essence of our faith, to become lukewarm like the Churches in Ephesus and Laodicea, (Rev.2:4, 3:16). To watch, is to realize how frail we are and so not depend on our powers but rely always on the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. To watch, is to live out the words of St Peter, which says; “Be calm, but vigilant for your enemy, the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat, stand up to him, strong in faith.” ( 1 Pet 5: 8-9a).

The essence of the Advent season is to keep our hearts and mind clear from all encumbrances and be focused on the Saviour. It is to help us prevail over the devil and it’s antics, aimed at distracting us and lead us away from the salvation promised us through Jesus Christ. We can prevail solely by the power of God. And daily prayer helps us to daily renew our submission to God and subscribe to the promptings of the Holy Spirit as we journey on in life. Our anticipation of the coming of Christ, must be done in an atmosphere of prayer, praise and growth in virtues rather than merely doing a countdown to the Christmas festivities.

Lord God, as we begin our Advent campaign, grant us the grace to grow in readiness for the coming of Christ at Christmas and His second coming in glory and so share in the eternal joy of His kingdom through Christ our Lord Amen.
Happy new month and do have a fruitful Sunday and advent season.

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