GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 27TH NOVEMBER 2016
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
1ST READING: Isaiah 2:1-5
PSALM: Psalm 121:1-2, 4-5, 6-9
2ND READING: Romans 13:11-14
GOSPEL: Matthew 24:37-44
THEME: PREPARE TO MEET THE LORD
An expectant mother prepares for the arrival of her baby. A spouse prepares for his/her husband who is returning from a trek. A student prepares for an impending exam. Every important event is characterised by some form of preparation.
The scent of an approaching Christmas for many comes from wine, cake and fried chicken but for us Christians, the period of Advent gives us the true scent of an approaching Christmas.
The word “Advent” comes from a Latin word which means “coming”. It is a joyful period of expectancy and feverish preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. The preparation is threefold:
1. We prepare to commemorate and celebrate the birthday of Christ (Christmas), i.e. when Christ was born among us as a human being – His first coming.
2. We prepare for the second coming of Christ, i.e. when Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead.
3. We prepare for the coming of Christ to each one of us daily in grace.
The theme of preparation stands out in our Gospel text. Recalling the event of Noah, Matthew writes “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man…Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour” (Mt 24:38-39,44).
Paul adds a tone of urgency to the call to get ready for Christ when he writes, “…You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Rom 13:11-12 ).
For effective preparation for the coming of Christ, the following proposals may be considered:
1. Repentance: During this season, we are called upon to turn away from sin and be reconciled to the Lord – herein lies the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
2. Prayer: Advent is a season of fervent prayer, both personal and communal. We need to make time for prayer and be committed to it. We may also consider spicing our prayer with occasional fasting.
3. Virtuous living: We are called upon to put on the garment of holiness evident in virtues like love, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control etc. The virtue of love, for example, could be expressed by giving alms to the poor, without making much noise about it.
The season of Advent invites us, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths” (Isa 2:3)
Prayer: Maranatha, come Lord Jesus. Come, for my soul is longing for your peace. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).