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Sunday Homily - 1 December 2024 - First Week of Advent (year C)
Mass
Readings: Jer 33:14-16 Ps 25
1Thes 3:12-4:2 Lk 21: 25-28. 34-36
Key
Verse to Meditate: Then they will
see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory (Lk 21:27).
Dear
Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
On this first
day of December, at the dawn of the Advent season, the Liturgy of the Word
calls us to dwell in the Lord, placing our complete trust in His promises, even
in the face of the challenges posed by a troubled world. Today's readings
remind us that God's Word is our unshakable source of hope and consolation in a
world often marked by suffering and uncertainty.
For the
unbeliever, the signs described in today’s Scriptures may seem distressing,
even fearsome. But for us, as Christians, these signs are a cause for joy and
hope, for they herald the nearness of the Lord and the fulfilment of His
promises. The coming of the Lord is not merely an event confined to the future;
it is a divine certainty rooted in God’s covenant from the beginning of
creation.
We, as
disciples of Christ, are called to live with patient hearts, walking in
righteousness as we await the Lord who brings the fullness of life. Let us
embrace this Advent season as a time of renewed faith, steadfast hope, and deep
longing for the Lord, who is always near and who comes to save His people.
The
First Reading
The first
reading, from the Prophet Jeremiah, highlights God's enduring promise to the
house of Israel and the house of Judah. This prophecy of Jeremiah intended to
encourage the Jews to trust in God in spite of all their present difficulties,
can and should encourage us, too. The reading also invites us to place our
trust in God’s promises, which are steadfast and unchanging. In a time of
uncertainty and despair, Jeremiah speaks of a coming hope—a righteous Branch
from David’s lineage who will bring justice and righteousness to the earth: "In
those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring
forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth" (Jer
33:15). This prophecy not only pointed to the immediate restoration of Israel
but ultimately to the coming of Christ, the fulfilment of God’s eternal
promise. Jesus, the righteous Branch, embodies justice and righteousness,
offering salvation and peace to all who trust in Him.
God comes to
dwell among His people-this is the profound message of the Prophet Jeremiah and
the central theme of the Advent season. Jeremiah conveys God’s unwavering
assurance: when the Lord Most High resides with His people, Judah will find
security, and Jerusalem will experience peace. The prophet further reveals the
name by which Jerusalem will call upon the Lord: “The LORD is our
righteousness” (Jer 33:16). This divine promise is a testament to God’s
faithfulness, offering hope and the certainty of restoration under His
righteous and just reign. As we begin the Advent season, the first reading
reminds us to wait in hope and to prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming,
confident that God’s promises will be fulfilled in His perfect time. Let us
walk in faith and righteousness, anticipating the joy and peace that only
Christ can bring.
The
Second Reading
St. Paul, in
his letter to the Thessalonians, echoes a similar exhortation in today’s second
reading. He prays: “May He so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may
be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all
His saints” (1 Thess 3:13). Paul urges the Thessalonians to imitate his
example, living in a way that pleases God and reflects their calling as His
faithful followers. This call to holiness is not only for the Thessalonians but
for each of us as well. It invites us to examine our lives, strengthen our
hearts in faith, and grow in endurance, so that we may stand blameless and
confident before the Lord when He comes again.
As we reflect
on this passage, we are reminded that holiness is not an abstract ideal but a
lived reality. It requires daily commitment, perseverance in the face of
temptation, and a heart open to God’s transformative grace. This Advent, let us
strive to deepen our relationship with God, seeking His strength to overcome
the distractions and challenges that may pull us away from Him. In doing so, we
prepare not only for Christ’s birth but also for His glorious return, living
each day in hopeful expectation of the fullness of His presence.
The
Gospel Reading
In today’s
Gospel, Jesus speaks of frightening signs-changes in the sun, moon, stars, sea,
and among nations-that will lead to widespread fear. Some will even succumb to
the terror of these events. Yet, for those who believe, these signs herald the
coming of the Son of Man in a cloud, with power and great glory. This image
recalls the vision given to the prophet Daniel, where the Son of Man is
presented as the eternal King (Dan 7:13-14).
Today’s Gospel
offers words of consolation and hope, especially in the face of life’s trials
and tribulations. The very events that disorient others will be signs for
Christians that the hour of salvation is near. Behind every hardship, no matter
how painful, the faithful will discern the Lord, who announces His coming, His
redemption, and the dawn of a new era.
The
Second Coming of the Son of Man
In Luke
21:5-24, we hear Jesus' teachings regarding the destruction of Jerusalem, an
event that was fulfilled in A.D. 70. In the subsequent passages (Lk 21:25-28),
Jesus shifts His focus to the coming of the Son of Man. The fall of Jerusalem
is described alongside signs that herald the return of the Son of Man, with
cosmic phenomena and apocalyptic imagery: “And then they will see the Son of
Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Lk 21:27). For Luke, the
return of the Son of Man is a tangible reality, as he emphasizes Jesus coming
in a cloud (Lk 9:34; Acts 1:9; cf. Dan 7:13) with power (Lk 1:35; cf. 4:14;
Acts 1:8) and great glory (Lk 9:26; cf. 4:6; 9:27). This powerful imagery
affirms Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the sovereign ruler, and the
ultimate judge of the universe.
The signs
accompanying the Son of Man are distinctly cosmic, contrasting with the
terrestrial events associated with Jerusalem's fall. The cosmic-apocalyptic
descriptions include signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and anguish among
nations on the earth (cf. Is 3:24-26; 33:9; Jer 4:23-26; Nah 1:4-5). Luke also
highlights the despair of the last days, as fear will grip humanity, causing
many to faint from the anticipation of what is to come (cf. Mk 13:25; Mt
24:29). The shaking of the heavenly bodies symbolizes the overthrow of earthly
nations and empires, a theme echoed in the writings of the prophets (cf. Is
13:13; 34:4; Dan 8:10; Hag 2:21).
The coming of
the Son of Man fulfills the promise made by the angels to the apostles at
Jesus’ ascension: “This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will
come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
This assurance strengthens our hope, calling us to live in vigilance and faith
as we await His glorious return.
The
Tradition of Apocalyptic Teaching
The apocalyptic
teaching of Jesus in today’s Gospel carries a clear and urgent message: we must
be prepared, with prayer on our lips and vigilance in our hearts, to meet Him
on the day of the Lord (Lk 21:34). The liturgy of the Word today presents two
critical watchwords: “Be careful” and “Be always on the watch.” These words
remind us to stay alert and focused on our spiritual journey, avoiding
complacency or distraction.
St. Paul echoes
this call in his letter to the Thessalonians, emphasizing the unpredictability
of the Lord's return: “For you yourselves know full well that the day of the
Lord will come just like a thief in the night” (1 Thess 5:2). In today’s second
reading, he exhorts the Christian community to prepare for the return of the
Lord Jesus with all His saints, urging them to live in holiness and remain
blameless before God (1 Thess 3:13).
The simple yet
profound way to stand blameless before God is to walk in holiness and strive to
please Him. St. Paul reminds us that holiness is not an occasional effort but a
daily commitment to live according to God’s will: “We instructed you how to live
in order to please God, as in fact you are living” (1 Thess 4:1).
The
Importance of Prayer
A central theme
of today’s Gospel is prayer. Prayer equips us to persevere until the return of
the Son of Man. Luke emphasizes this in Jesus’ words: "Be always on the watch
and pray that you may have the strength to escape all these things that are
about to take place and to stand before the Son of Man" (Lk 21:36). Jesus
teaches the importance of constant prayer through parables, such as the widow
and the unjust judge (Lk 18:1), and in His passion narrative: "Pray that
you may not enter into temptation" (Lk 22:40).
Prayer sustains
our faith and helps us remain vigilant, ensuring we are prepared to meet the
Lord when He returns. Luke’s Gospel encourages us to adopt a prayerful mindset,
remaining steadfast and ready, as Jesus instructs: "Be dressed and ready
for service, and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their
master to return" (Lk 12:35-36).
Points
for Personal Reflection
The readings
from today’s liturgy speak of the Lord’s coming, which may not seem imminent by
human reckoning. As disciples of Christ, we must remember that history unfolds according
to God’s divine plan and will culminate in the definitive establishment of His
Kingdom. In the face of this reality, we are called to adopt a patient
attitude, persevering in faith and walking steadfastly on the path that leads
to the fullness of life.
The Gospel
today warns us of the danger of becoming complacent in our daily lives. We are
exhorted to remain vigilant, steadfast in prayer, and attentive to the Lord.
Without this vigilance, earthly concerns can dull our determination, distract
our minds, and prevent us from experiencing the joyful anticipation of the
Lord, who comes with mercy and new life.
To
Meet Jesus Daily
To encounter
the Lord, we must cultivate vigilance in our daily lives, sustained by prayer
and the courage to face life’s challenges. Jesus reminds us not to allow our
hearts to be weighed down by the sadness or fleeting pleasures of life. Our
hope must be anchored in Him alone. As believers, we place our hope in Christ,
who dispels fear and offers eternal life. With faith and hope, we are
encouraged to “raise our heads” and look to Him, confident in His promises.
To
Guard Against the Temptation of Losing Hope
The First
Sunday of Advent offers us a profound lesson: the need to stay alert and
attentive to the Lord’s coming, rooted in prayer and hope. We must guard
against the temptation to lose faith in His return or be overwhelmed by life’s
hardships, distractions, and despair. Such feelings are the enemy’s tools to
lead us astray. Instead, we are called to place our trust entirely in the Lord
and remain vigilant at all times.
The
Season of Advent
Today, we begin
the joyful season of Advent, a time of preparation for the celebration of
Christ’s birth and a reminder of His promised return in glory. Advent is a time
of waiting, and much more than that, it is a season of vigilant waiting that
prepares us to welcome the mystery of the Word Incarnate. As a preparation for
Christmas, Advent must be a time of waiting in joy. The Advent season prepares
us not only to welcome this great event but to incarnate it in our lives. Thus,
this 'vigilance' means the necessity, the urgency of an industrious, living
'wait.' As Pope Francis says, "Advent is both a time of God’s closeness
and our watchfulness." Let us become vigilant to welcome this incarnate
Word who came to dwell amidst us.
The First
Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the new Liturgical Year, and the Church
transitions into a new Lectionary Cycle for Sundays, bringing the long period
of Ordinary Time to a close. In the 2024-25 cycle, we focus on Year C, which
features the Gospel of St. Luke. In today’s Gospel (Lk 21:25-28, 34-36), Jesus
invites us to recognize the signs of the last days. This serves as a reminder
that Advent is not only a reflection on Christ’s first coming at Christmas but
also a personal preparation for His Second Coming: "Be vigilant at all
times and pray that you may have the strength to escape the tribulations that
are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man."(Lk 21:36).
Throughout His
public ministry, Jesus performed many signs to reveal that He is the greatest
sign of God’s presence among us-the expected Messiah. Yet, many, including the
Jewish authorities, failed to believe, expecting instead a political king to
liberate them from Roman oppression. Jesus declared that His ultimate sign
would be His return in glory at the end of the age. This is the essence of
today’s readings, which gently remind us of the Lord’s coming as Judge of the
world. The Cross, however, remains the greatest sign of His victory over sin
and death, the triumph over evil. Jesus is our anointed Messiah and Lord, and
His reign is eternal.
Prayer,
Holiness, and Vigilance: As we embark on this Advent journey, today’s
liturgy invites us to prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming. Through prayer,
holiness, and vigilance, we can stand blameless before God and joyfully welcome
the Son of Man. By embracing the Word of God, we are strengthened to overcome
trials and resist temptations. May this Advent season inspire us to draw closer
to the Lord, living in hope and joyful anticipation of His coming. Let us heed
the call to be attentive and prayerful, so that we may be found worthy to stand
before the Son of Man when He comes in glory.
Reflection
Questions
As we listen to
these readings today, we are invited to reflect on our readiness for the Lord’s
coming. Are we living lives rooted in prayer, faith, and vigilance? Are we
prepared to stand before God, unshaken by worldly distractions or anxieties?
The season of Advent invites us to renew our commitment to holiness, to
cultivate watchfulness, and to live each day in joyful expectation of Christ’s
return.
Does my heart
long for God’s presence, or is it burdened by the fleeting concerns of this
world?
What obstacles
must I remove to welcome the Lord more fully this Advent season?
