December 2, 2001

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the season that starts off a new liturgical year, Cycle A in the readings. It is the time when we prepare to celebrate the astonishing truth that God became one of us. Our first reading reminded us that Jerusalem was dear to the Jews because it was, they believed, God's own dwelling place. But, never did God draw so near to us as when Jesus took our human form and was born in Bethlehem. The idea of Advent is not that we should try and revive the emotional ‘Christmasy' feelings of childhood days but rather that we should grow in appreciation of the startling truth of the Incarnation, God's Son coming to dwell within our midst.

The reading, however, makes it clear that we are meant to have in mind, not only the first coming of the Lord Jesus, but also the second coming at the end of time. And, as Jesus makes clear in the Gospel, since we cannot know the day nor the hour of his coming, the only sensible thing is to be in a permanent state of readiness. With a touch of humor, he points out that what person in their right mind would fail to make suitable preparations if he knew that a burglar was due to arrive at his house. How much more should we prepare when we know with certainty that the Lord Himself is one day to be our visitor.

SO THE QUESTION: HOW DO WE PREPARE FOR THE LORD IN A WAY THAT MAKES US READY, NOT ONLY FOR TODAY, BUT FOR ALL TIMES?

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