Homily for 1st Advent

Jack and Jill were up early Saturday morning busy gift-wrapping an Advent Present for the kids. They wanted to get it done before the kids woke up. They filled the box, then sealed, and wrapped it with eye-catching purple paper and put a bow on it. They placed the heavy present on the dining room table where the kids were sure to see it. When the kids came down for breakfast, the first thing they saw was the present. Of course, they wanted to know who it was for and what was in it. Jill told them that it was for them, but they would have to wait until after supper to open it. The kids were so excited! They pushed at it and found the present to be heavy. It must be something really great and they tried to guess what was in it. Jack told them to do their Saturday chores, evening would come soon enough. The kids were so excited! All day long while doing their chores, they tried to guess what was in it.

Finally, night came. After dinner, Jack took the present into the living room and placed it on the table in front of the sofa. Of course, the kids followed, still guessing what could possibly be in it. Jill joined them and told them that Advent would begin tomorrow. Advent was time to prepare for Christmas, the celebration of Jesus’s birth. Jack reminded them that the season was preparing for Jesus’s birth as well as his second coming in judgment at the end of time. But this was a special present to help them to prepare spiritually for the great celebration. The children tore into the present only to find it empty! How could that be? It was so heavy! Jack said that it was filled but they could only see what was in it with eyes of faith. They were somewhat disappointed. However, Jill told them to pray every day, asking for eyes of faith so they could see what was in the Advent present. They assured the kids they would not be disappointed, but they must wait and pray every day until Christmas. As a family they would say a special prayer every night until Christmas morning. They must wait and stay alert for what they would find would be wonderful. Perhaps if they listened carefully to the scripture lessons, they might get hints as to what awaits them in the Advent box. They would eventually discover their eyes of faith. Sunday morning came soon enough, and the family went to early Mass. The kids listened! On the way home after Mass, they continued to figure out what might be in the box.

The lesson from the prophet, Isiah, had many suggestions that gave comfort to all who paid attention. Isiah said, “You, Lord, are our father.” We have many words to describe God. Last week, we celebrated Christ the King, Christ the shepherd. Today, the prophet tells us that God is our father. God is also our mother. Father and Mother give us life, protect us, take care of us nourishing us in love. Father/Mother give us freedom to love our Father/Mother back.

Then the prophet wonders why the LORD lets us wander away getting into all kinds of trouble that reveals how selfish we can be. We fight with each other, getting into wars like the present war on Israel and on the Ukraine. We at times become so self-centered that we think only of our own pleasures in drugs, sex and all kinds of distractions found in materialism and consumerism. The prophet says that the Lord is angry with us, that we are sinful for we have become like unclean people. Yet no ear, no eye has ever seen any God who does such wonderful things for those who wait. Indeed, the Lord is our father, and we are the work of his hands. We take comfort and are filled with hope in this message from the Prophet Isiah who speaks the word of God to us!

Jesus tells us to be watchful and alert because we do not know the time he will come for us. As we reflect on his coming into our midst, we remember his first coming, the incarnation when God became Man. We call Jesus Emmanuel, that is God is with us. Jesus tells us that he will come again as King at the end of time when all will be judged. However, what is most comforting is to know that he comes to us when we gather to celebrate his presence in the Eucharist. If we stay awake, we will also experience his presence with us and in us. God is always coming to us. This is most satisfying.

During Advent we reflect on his first coming and prepare for his next coming as King at the end of time when all will be judged on how we have loved and not loved each other. But Jesus tells us to be alert for he comes to us in the Holy Eucharist. And especially we need to be alert for he comes to us suddenly many times each day. We will miss his coming if we are sleeping, not paying attention.

We have so much for which to be grateful. Perhaps with the eyes of faith we can stay watchful and alert for his daily coming in love to each one of us. Jack and Jill’s children have much to consider as do we.  Use this special time of Advent to prepare for and watch for his coming not only when we die, but also watch for his coming to each one of us every day.

God be blessed! Now and forever. Amen.