Reflection for the First Sunday of Advent, Year B

 

WATCH AND WAIT UNTO PRAYER FOR THE LORD’S COMING

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Readings: Isaiah 63:16d-17; 64:1-3b-8, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:33-37

 

The first Sunday of Advent ushers in a new liturgical year in the Church. The Advent season is a period of expectation, of waiting and of preparation for the second coming of Jesus Christ, the God-man and for his final coming at the end of time. The word Advent is derived from the Latin word adventus meaning ‘coming’. Adventus itself is from the Latin root word- advenire (ad meaning to (toward) and venire meaning to come). So, Advent is a time of waiting for the Lord to come to us. However, this does not mean that we should simply be passively waiting. It is not one-directional movement. While we wait for him to come, we have to prepare and make ourselves ready to receive him. He comes but he will not force himself into our hearts.

Fittingly, the gospel reading of this Sunday educates us on how we are to prepare for the Lord’s coming. From today’s gospel passage, we learn that the best ways to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord are to be watchful and be prayerful. The reason why we have to be always alert is because the time of the Lord’s coming is one that is shrouded in uncertainty and imprecision. We neither know the day nor the hour that the Son of Man will come (Mark 13:33). The master will return unexpectedly without prior announcements. As such, we are urged to be awake and watchful unto prayer, now and always.

To watch is to be alert, to be vigilant or to be on one’s guard; to be wary or cautious; to pay attention; to observe over a period of time; or simply, to be awake. Unfortunately, we live in a time when it is a bit difficult to be attentive and watchful. There are too many attractions and distractions that dim the inner light or eyes of our faith thereby making us to slumber. Like the man who while traveling abroad, left his servants in charge, each with his own task, and told the doorkeeper to stay awake, so has the Lord, before physically departing this world, entrusted to us, the care of his creation and other tasks. On his return, he expects to find each one of us at our duty posts, active, watchful, and in the words of St. Paul in the second reading, “without reproach, not lacking in any spiritual gifts” (1 Cor. 1:7-8).

Like the Israelites who in the first reading (63:16d-17; 64:1-3b-8) were waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah, so are we expected during this season of Advent, to look forward in eager anticipation for the second coming of Jesus Christ. Let us pray that when the Lord comes, he may find us waiting, watchful and ready to receive him into our hearts. Also, even as we wait for his coming at Christmas, let us remember that the Lord comes to us always, in the poor, the needy, the homeless and more especially, each time we receive the Eucharist. Let us ensure to receive him warmly and worthily. God bless you.