I Advent : [B]: Is 63: 16-17, 19; 64: 2-7; 1 Cor 1: 3-9; Mk 13: 33-37

I ADVENT : Is 63: 16-17, 19; 64: 2-7;  1 Cor 1: 3-9;  Mk 13: 33-37

Event:  Some time ago a man was staying in a hotel (chalet) in the Swiss Alps. Early one morning he heard what sounded like an earthquake. Hurriedly he got out of bed and ran to the front desk and asked if there was something wrong, if the mountains were breaking up? He was scared. The man at the front desk explained, “Sir, we are on the west side of the mountain. As the sun comes up in the east, and the snow and ice expand as they begin to get warm. The expansion causes a large crashing noise. It’s not the end of the world or the Second Coming of Jesus; it’s just the beginning of a new day.”  

Exegesis: In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah prays for God’s active presence in the Jewish community returned from Babylonian exile so that they may remain faithful to their God. In the second reading, St. Paul prays for the reconversion of Christians in Corinth who have misused their gifts and charisms and remain ill-prepared for Christ’s Second Coming. In today’s gospel, Jesus, using the short parable of the servants and gate-keeper of an absentee master who could return at any time, instructs his followers to be alert and watchful while doing their Christian duties with sincerity. The gate-keeper and the household servants are expected to be ever-vigilant because their master is sure to return. The time of his return is uncertain, but the reward or punishment is sure and certain.

Joke: Before performing a baptism, the priest approaches the young father and said solemnly, "Baptism is a serious step. Are you prepared for it?"

"I think so," the man replied. "My wife has made appetizers and we have a caterer coming to provide plenty of cookies and cakes for all of our guests."

"I don't mean that," the priest responded. "I mean, are you prepared spiritually?"
"Oh, sure," came the reply. "I've got a keg of beer and a case of whiskey."
We may laugh at the young man, but the way many of us today prepare for the coming of the Lord at Christmas is not much different from the way the man prepared for baptism.

The season of Advent is a time for Christians to prepare for the coming of the Lord. Actually we remember three of comings of the Lord. First, we celebrate something that happened in the past, namely, the birth of the Messiah into the world which took place more than 2000 years ago. Secondly, we prepare for something that will happen in the future, namely, the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time to judge the living and the dead. And thirdly, we celebrate something that happens in the present, namely, the many moments of grace which are occasions for the Lord to come into the lives of Christians, into our souls as individual believers and in our midst as the community of the people of God.

Practical Applications: We should live in the living presence of Jesus every day waiting for his Second Coming. We have to experience Christ’s living presence in the holy Eucharist, in the holy Bible, in our worshiping community in our parish, in our family, in our own souls and in every one around us. The early Christians experienced it and that is why they welcomed other Christians not by saying “Hi!” or “Good Morning!” but by acknowledging the presence of Jesus in them, respectfully addressing them, “Maran Atha” in Aramaic, meaning “Our Lord has come” or “Come Our Lord.”  God bless you and keep you ever prepared for Christ’s second coming.

First Sunday of Advent: Introduction

Message: Lord, rend the heavens and come down.  Come and save us from our sins.  Let us turn again to you and so be found blameless when you return in glory.

Saints and Events in this week: The year if the Gospel of Mark begins; The Liturgical cycle B; 3- Third – Wednesday – Saint Francis Xavier, priest; 4 – Fourth – Thursday – Saint John Damascene, Priest, Doctor of the Church; 6 – Saturday – Saint Nicholas, Bishop;