the first sunday of advent
In the readings this first Sunday of Advent, Isaiah tells us to look forward to a future time when many peoples will come excitedly to climb the mountain of the Lord and approach God’s house. From this mountain, and from God’s house, the Lord teaches us about himself and about how we should live. At the feet of our heavenly Father, we learn to walk in the light of the Lord. We learn to love God with our whole minds.
Today’s Responsorial Psalm fulfils this prophecy! We are the many peoples who go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. We are rejoicing, of course, in anticipation: our redemption is at hand and the Kingdom of God is near (Luke 21:25-33). Because our redemption is at hand, St. Paul tells us, we must “put on” Jesus Christ. We “make no provision for the flesh,” but instead we offer our whole selves to God. Our union with Christ is our redemption!
“Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” Christ emphasizes to us today that he is indeed coming. He will come with both judgement and mercy. Today we begin preparing our hearts and minds to be able to receive him. Throughout the rest of Advent, we should repeat this refrain in our minds: He is coming. We remind ourselves that our redeemer is coming, so that we are “awake.” So that we are always ready, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.
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