READINGS FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C) SUNDAY 28TH NOVEMBER, 2021

First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16

Psalm: 24

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2

Gospel: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM

THE MESSAGE OF ADVENT

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today is the First Sunday of Advent Year C. The term “Advent” is derived from a Latin word “Adventus” which means “arrival” or “coming”. Advent from the Christian perspective means the arrival or coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Advent helps us to prepare for the arrival or coming of Christ Jesus, the anointed one.

In my reflection today, we will examine the message of Advent and its relevance in our world today.

The message of Advent is simple and relevant for us today. Advent draws our attention for our need to let go of things that clutter our minds and hearts. Jesus admonishes us to “Watch ourselves, or our hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life” Advent is a time to take seriously admonition of Christ that we should stay awake, watch and pray.

Advent is a season of grace. It is a time for praying, waiting and longing in joyful hope for the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ and his second coming in glory. The season of Advent provides a balance for us to find a foothold for our hope and to experience what God has in store for us. Advent helps us to re-gain our balance and experience the love, peace and joy of God as revealed in the Incarnate Word-Jesus Christ. We are joyful because God is with us to liberate us.

Advent is the time to celebrate our liberation and restoration to new life in Christ after a protracted nightmare in the world of darkness and fear of the present pandemic. Jesus said to his disciples in the Gospel of Luke: “men will be dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36).

During this Advent, Jesus invites us to: “Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21: 25-28, 34-36) “Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come.” (Mark 13:33).

It is good to stay awake and live in joyful hope. It is good to appreciate the things God gives us freely. We are urged to stay awake and stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour we do not expect. Since we do not know the time, place and how the Son of Man will come, we are encouraged to be vigilant, watchful, alert and awake. We must pray at all times for the strength to stand ready with confidence before the Son of Man.

The Church invites us on this First Sunday of Advent to prepare for Christ’s Second Coming. We can be alert by preparing for Jesus’ Second Coming which will happen at the moment of our death or at the end of the world.

Jesus warns us to be alert, watchful and prepared because Christ’s Second Coming, can occur at any time. People, in general, used to have a paranoid fear about the end of the world.

The call for us to be on our guard and live in hope enables us to appreciate the wonder of the Incarnation and the goodness of God in creation. It is good for us to be on our guard and to live in peace with God and each other.

This advice is correct and acceptable because the Son of Man is coming at an hour we do not expect. Since we do not know the time, place and how the Son of Man will come, we must stay awake, stand ready, be vigilant, watchful, and alert.

We are invited to live in the living presence of Jesus every day in the Holy Eucharist, in the Holy Bible, in our worshiping community, family and in everyone around us.

In responding to God’s invitation, faith is required. We must pray for the gift of faith in our lives to enable us appreciate the richness of the content of today’s reflection. We are urged to be on our guard and ready at all times. We need deep faith to be on our guard and stay awake so that we may be ready for the Lord’s coming. Are you on your guard?. Are you awake? Are you ready to say “Maranatha” which means “Come, Lord Jesus”

Advent offers us hope of new life in Christ filled with hope, joy and peace. We are waiting in joyful hope and we pray for an end to this pandemic.

May God bless us and keep us safe in His Hands, ever prepared for Christ’s Second Coming. May God find us ready when He comes and show us mercy as we place all our hope in Him. Amen.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM