1st Sunday of Advent 2024 Year C

Luke 21:25-28,34-36 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."

Today we begin the season of Advent. This season has a twofold purpose: first to remind us of Our Lord's first coming as Our Saviour, Our Priest and Sacrifice, born in perfect Humility; secondly to remind us that He will come again as Our King and Our Judge coming in perfect Glory. Today’s Gospel reminds us of this second coming.

When you think about both the final coming of Christ as well as your own future death, what comes to mind? If you were informed by an angel that tomorrow would be that day, the day that the Son of Man would return in all His splendor and glory to bring about an end to this world and to issue forth His judgment upon it, how would you react? Would you be terrified? Overjoyed? Hopeful? Would you be ready to stand before Jesus?

Our Lord tells us “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be made known and brought to light.” Lk 8:17. Are we ready to stand and have our lives judged and the devil standing there accusing us? Or do we still need time to prepare?

In today’s Gospel we read: “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.” And Our Lord warns us saying: “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.” It shouldn’t be a surprise to us, we know that it is coming, we need only prepare.

Those who “die of fright” are clearly those who will experience this day completely unprepared. Imagine, for example, that you were hosting a large dinner party and you got your days mixed up. The day arrived and you weren’t expecting anyone until the following week, but the guests started to arrive in great numbers. Imagine your anxiety and embarrassment. Such an experience would be nothing compared to being unprepared for the judgment of Christ when we stand before Him with our sins exposed for all to see.

St Bernard writes: Adam’s unhappy children, having left aside activities that are true and bring salvation, seek instead what is fleeting. To whom shall we liken the people of this generation, and to whom shall we compare them? Lk 7:31. We see that they cannot be torn away and separated from what brings them earthly and bodily comfort. They are immersed in their sin, immersed in their transgressions against God. Pity them from the heart and pray for them. These wretches act as they do because they have no knowledge of God—for if they had known, they would never by such madness have provoked the Lord of glory against themselves 1 Cor 15:35; 2:8.

Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermons for Advent and the Christmas Season,

You who have been blessed with faith want to prepare yourself for Christmas and so decorate your houses, don’t you also want to decorate your souls for Christ, to prepare a place for Him in your hearts? See the silken hangings, the ornaments, the carpets, the cushions and other decorations you and others are preparing. We prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming with righteousness and purity . Righteousness is the virtue that renders to each his due and purity is obtained only through Christ and His Sacraments.

Those who are preparing for Christ's coming are told to “stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” It will be a great joy for them. They will see the fruits of all their prayer, their sacrifices and their service to God in His Church and in His children. They will turn their eyes to the coming Judge of All who will bring justice to all, the innocent will suffer no more and the good will receive the reward for their deeds.

May the Blessed Virgin intercede on our behalf and obtain for us the graces we need and the grace she desires for us. May we live the true spirit and Advent and prepare for the Great Celebration of Christmas and the return of Our King.