November 27 – First Sunday of Advent
Isn’t it strange? The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the Liturgical or Church year. But what do our readings speak about this morning? They describe with both hope and a sense of foreboding the end of the world. But for a people who believe that to find ourselves we must lose ourselves, and that through death comes life, such a paradox or seeming contradiction need not surprise us.
Advent is a time when we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. Not only do we remember the coming of Jesus about 2000 years ago, we also celebrate his presence here and now through the Scriptures, the sacraments, one another and other ways. But we also look to his future coming at the end of the world. Today’s readings call us to prepare for the return of Jesus in glory, power, and majesty.
Thanks to some TV evangelists and sensationalist books many Christians have been led to believe that we should fear the end of the world when Jesus returns. Now it is true that the Bible paints a picture of horror and suffering for those who do not believe in God and live out their faith. At the same time, however, the Bible speaks of that day with hope and gladness. As we just heard, God gave the prophet Isaiah a wonderful vision of peace and tranquility. The earliest Christians were as excited about the return of Jesus as children today are excited about Christmas.
We are provided with a little parable today. Clearly a house owner cannot stay up every night to guard against a thief, but if he knew the exact time of a burglary, he would stay awake for it. Since the disciples don’t know when Christ will return — even Jesus said he didn’t know when — they must always be ready. The message is addressed to us as well: be prepared every day for his return or our death.
The story is told of a man who set out with a pilgrim’s staff to find a certain saintly hermit to ask of him a question. When he found the man and was invited in, the pilgrim asked, “If you knew tomorrow would be your last day on earth, what would you do?” The hermit thought about it and said, “I suppose that I would get up and make my tea and pray. Then I would go outside and work in the garden a while. Then I would see how my sick neighbor is doing and what I can do to help. Then….” But the pilgrim interrupted, “But that’s how you live every day?” “But, of course, why should I or anyone live the last day different from the rest?” Why, indeed?
If we live each day as if it was our last day, one day we will be glad we did.