Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Mt.
24:37-44
Advent is a Season of Hopeful Expectation.
In a world shrouded in darkness and dominated by
fear, sorrow, sickness, poverty, cynicism, apathy, wars, and rumors of wars,
Christians are called to be unapologetic optimists. They must shine the light
of joy, happiness, and hope, restoring peace to the world. Advent is the season
of hope, when we wait for the first coming of Christ, the Messiah. It
demonstrates that God is greater than our collective feelings of sadness and
despair. “For
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes
in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (Jn. 3:16). Just as the Jews waited in hope for
the Messiah, we too wait! Advent assures us that the birth of Christ will
restore joy, peace, and love to our broken world.
Isaiah’s vision explains the expectation of the
children of Israel, in the first reading: “In
days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the
highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward
it. He shall judge between the nations and impose terms on many people. They
shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for
war again.” (Is. 2:1-5).
Isaiah predicts a day when humanity will live in faith, righteousness, and
brotherhood. We pray for the realization of this vision in our days with faith
and optimism. For without a collective desire for peace, we face the grim
prospect of endless wars leading humanity to its own destruction. The words of
John F. Kennedy resonate here: “Mankind must put an end to war before war puts
an end to mankind.”
Sadly, in today’s world, the means of war have
advanced far beyond those of peace. If humanity does not pursue peace and
coexistence with its neighbors, the destructive powers unleashed by science and
Artificial Intelligence could engulf all of humanity in planned or accidental
self-destruction. Therefore, Isaiah’s vision is urgent; it calls us to create a
world of peace and hope, both for ourselves and for all of humanity.
Advent compels us to reflect on God’s vision for
humanity, to consider, accept, and obey Him, or risk miserable failure. To
experience true peace, we must acknowledge the supremacy of faith in God. When we
no longer pay lip service to God but acknowledge his sovereignty and are
prepared to organize our lives in accordance with it, then the face of the earth
will be changed. Humanity must be willing to embrace a way of life free from
violence and actively pursue peace.
Finally, Isaiah reminds us that if nations place their
trust in God, nothing will hinder them from negotiating for peace and peaceful cohabitation
among themselves.
In the second reading, St. Paul cautions against
waiting until it is too late to live a life of grace. He said, “It is the hour now for you to wake
from sleep.” When we are
asleep, we forget that we have work to do and places to go. Lowering our guard
leaves us vulnerable to unexpected calamities. Paul urges us to “Conduct ourselves properly as in the
day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry
and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the
desires of the flesh.” For Paul,
the flesh represents our unredeemed self, which is always at war with our
spiritual self. It embodies the darker aspects of our lives, estranged from
God. It is the rebellious, obstinate part of our inner self that resists
correction, has no need for God, and often desires something simply because it
is forbidden. For Advent to hold meaning and help us anticipate the birth of
Christ, we must seek redemption for the flesh and submit to God’s will.
The Gospel reminds us to stay awake, for we do not
know when the Son of Man will come. Isaiah’s vision and the exhortation to be
alert will prepare us for the birth of Christ. During Advent, we not only wait
for Christ’s coming at his birth but also for his second coming at the end of
time. While we wait, we must engage in the penitential acts that Advent calls
for. We should avoid sin and keep our hearts clean by going to confession. We
must welcome Christ into a cleansed heart, the temple of the Holy Spirit, where
God dwells. And so, let us rid ourselves of malicious thoughts and deeds,
grudges, anger, resentment, and revenge. Let us be kind and compassionate,
committed to a healthy prayer life, and always be charitable to those in need.
Amen!
Action exercise:
Advent lasts for 24 days,
from December 1 to December 24. Luke’s Gospel contains 24 chapters. Try reading
a chapter of this Gospel each day; by December 24, you will have read St.
Luke’s Gospel in its entirety. How cool is that! You will gain enlightenment
about Christ’s life and teachings.
Rev.
Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP
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