Homily for the First Sunday of Advent, Year C

 

WAITING IN HOPE FOR THE LORD’S COMING

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Scriptural Texts: Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2, Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

 

Today is the first Sunday of Advent and the beginning of a new liturgical year in the Church. Advent season is a period of expectation, preparation and of waiting for the Lord’s coming. The first and the gospel readings of this Sunday show us the two types of waiting that take place during Advent. The first is that like the troubled and despairing people of Israel in the first reading, we are waiting for the fulfillment of the gracious promise made to the houses of Israel and Judah of the birth of the Messiah; the one who will come to establish justice and righteousness in the land (Jeremiah 33:14-16). The second is that like the fearful early Christians in the gospel reading, we are waiting for the second coming of the Son of Man at the end of time (Luke 21:25-36).

The prophecy of Jeremiah which we read in the first reading is a message of hope. That prophecy was given at the darkest moment of the history of the Israelites, when the storm-clouds of invasion were gathering, and the Babylonian conquest and exile seemed inevitable. At that time, God spoke through the lips of his prophet that the promise made long ago to David that his dynasty will last forever will surely be fulfilled (2 Samuel 7:16). That promise was fulfilled with the birth of Christ. Indeed, as the psalmist says, the ways of the Lord are faithfulness and love (Psalm 25:10). God is always faithful to his words. He never abandons his people nor forgets his promise. Even though there may be moments of delay, but the fact remains that the plans of God for our lives will always come to fulfillment. Keep on waiting in hope on the Lord.

The season of Advent is a time of waiting but not just a passive type of waiting but an active and a hopeful one. As such, while we wait for the Lord to come, we have to prepare and make ourselves ready to receive him. He comes and very soon too, but he will not force himself into our hearts. One of the instructions on how to prepare for the Lord’s coming is found in today’s second reading. There, St. Paul instructs us of the need to live a life of holiness while waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ so that we may be blameless in the sight of our God and Father (1 Thessalonians 3:12-4-2). The other instructions on how to wait for the Lord’s coming are found in the gospel reading. There, St. Luke urges us not to be carried away by all forms of debauchery and drunkenness (attractions and distractions) but to stay awake, praying at all times so as to survive all that is going to take place on the day of the Lord’s coming, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man (Luke 33:34-36). We should not let the anxieties of life cause us to become lax or weary as we wait for the Lord's coming.

The coming of the Lord is a moment of grace and a time of liberation. Our time is full of difficulties and hardships, and the coming of the Lord will be a period of restoration. Let this season of Advent be a time of change and new beginnings for us. Lastly, as we wait for the Lord’s coming at Christmas, let us remember that the Lord comes to us daily, in the poor, the needy, the homeless and more especially, each time we receive him in the Eucharist. Let us be prepared to receive him warmly and worthily.