First Sunday of Advent

Title

The Excitement of Waiting

Outline

I do not know about you, but waiting is difficult for me

It does not matter if the waiting is for a medical procedure or a happy event - my ordination, say, or the birth of a child

I am both anxious to hurry things up - but trying to hurry Rome does not work, even prayer just gets a “this is good for you” AND anxious about the event itself.

My reaction is sometimes to distract myself by other activities unrelated to preparation

Our texts tell us that the life of faith is one long wait

Jeremiah tells us that we are waiting for a fulfilled promise

“A just shoot spring up for David”

Salvation and safety

Jerusalem is named “The LORD our justice”

But from Jeremiah to Jesus was 550 years or more

That is a lot of waiting

And then we know that there are two comings of Jesus and we have been waiting for the second for almost 2000 years already

God says, “Patience. It is long for you. I know.”

1Thessalonians tells us to be always ready

“strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones”

“love” - seek the good of the other

That is how we should conduct ourselves before God

He is already present spiritually, already observing, so we need to be ready

Perhaps he has delayed a bit longer so we can get ready

The Church has had its ups and downs, but that is no excuse for making the present a personal down

This means discipline, focus, effort

Jesus in Luke tells us that part of the effort is directed in remaining calm in the midst of high anxiety

Family systems theory tells us that the polarization we see in the Church, in politics, and elsewhere in society is a sign of a highly anxious system in which feeling has replaced thinking

Jesus tells us “People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world”

Yes, the “powers of heaven” symbolized in the sun, moon, and starts, will be shaken

The Church has seen this in the fall of Rome, the Napoleonic era, the two World Wars of last century, and other events, such as the youth and sexual revolution of the 60’s. But, cheer up, the final one is yet to come, maybe soon, maybe still a long way off

Jesus teaches us first, “when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” The world is scared stiff and anxious, but you are to become hopeful and expectant. It may not be the final coming, but it may be the his coming for you.

Jesus teaches us second, “Do not be drowsy.” But, “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.” We escape by being prepared rather than getting distracted by human affairs.

So, Sisters, arm yourselves with expectation and some tools

Do not run after everyone who says, “It is the final end of the world,” but rather be prepared at all times, especially in anxious times.

When anxious, use the mantra, “Come, Lord Jesus” or “Maranatha”

When it is hard to endure, use the mantra of a Benedictine monk, “O Jesus, King of Love, I put my trust in your merciful goodness” - even if the towers of Chartres and St Peter’s are falling or the walls of this Priory collapsing etc.

We are to keep our focus, our expectation, and our ethic of love and service - polish them up the more anxious the times, for they are the shoes you will wear to run out to greet Jesus

The world is indeed highly anxious now and there is likely no fix until our culture collapses, although we may or may not have more cycles of cultures rising from the ashes and then collapsing again before the final coming of Jesus.

Our duty is to be islands of calm and joyful expectation, not because we enjoy disaster, but because we know Jesus - that will be our best witness to him in such anxious times.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 11-28-2021: First Sunday of Advent

FIRST READING

Jeremiah 33:14–16

14 The days are coming—oracle of the LORD—when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days, at that time, I will make a just shoot spring up for David; he shall do what is right and just in the land. 16 In those days Judah shall be saved and Jerusalem shall dwell safely; this is the name they shall call her: “The LORD our justice.”

Catholic Daily Readings 11-28-2021: First Sunday of Advent

RESPONSE

Psalm 25:1b

1 Of David.

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul,

PSALM

Psalm 25:4–5, 8–10, 14

4 Make known to me your ways, LORD;

teach me your paths.

5 Guide me by your fidelity and teach me,

for you are God my savior,

for you I wait all the day long.

8 Good and upright is the LORD,

therefore he shows sinners the way,

9 He guides the humble in righteousness,

and teaches the humble his way.

10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth

toward those who honor his covenant and decrees.

14 The counsel of the LORD belongs to those who fear him;

and his covenant instructs them.

Catholic Daily Readings 11-28-2021: First Sunday of Advent

SECOND READING

1 Thessalonians 3:12–4:2

12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, 13 so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. [Amen.]

Catholic Daily Readings 11-28-2021: First Sunday of Advent

CHAPTER 4

1 Finally, brothers, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God—and as you are conducting yourselves—you do so even more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Catholic Daily Readings 11-28-2021: First Sunday of Advent

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Psalm 85:8

8 Show us, LORD, your mercy;

grant us your salvation.

GOSPEL

Luke 21:25–28, 34–36

25 “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. 26 People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”

34 “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 35 like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. 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.”

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 11-28-2021: First Sunday of Advent

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2021 | ADVENT

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

YEAR C | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Jeremiah 33:14–16

Response Psalm 25:1b

Psalm Psalm 25:4–5, 8–10, 14

Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 3:12–4:2

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 85:8

Gospel Luke 21:25–28, 34–36

VIOLET