Let’s ‘ready our souls’ to rejoice!
Reflections on the readings for the First Sunday of Advent (December 1, 2019): IS 2:1-5; PS 122:1-2,3-4,4-5,6-7,8-9; ROM 13:11-14; MT 24:37-44
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
Today we begin the Season of Advent as well as the new liturgical year. It is a wonderful opportunity to take stock of our lives as we look forward to rejoicing at the Nativity of our Lord.
While this is sometimes seen as a time of penance, it is also one of hope. And just as we find that hope in the birth of our Savior, we can also find it in considering His Second Coming at the end of the world. Jesus came among us to save us for all eternity. And on the last day, He will claim us for Himself – if only we embrace Him as our own loving Lord during our days on earth.
In his epistle to the Romans, St. Paul reminded the early Christians that their lives have changed, that they are not the people they were. They are meant to give up anything that could come between them and their Redeemer. The same is true for us right now. “For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.… Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:11-12, 14). Throughout Advent, we are asked to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Son of God. Through prayer and meditation, and acts of charity and generosity to those in need, we can ready ourselves for the gift of Holy Infant at Christmas. And we will also be readying for His Second Coming, whenever that may be, because we will be joyfully putting on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Suggested missionary action: As we begin Advent, we can start to prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas. We might use an Advent wreath or calendar to help us anticipate Christmas – even as we celebrate our faith each and every day God gives us.