First Sunday of Advent proclaims God’s promises
by Sister Ann Rehrauer
Jan. 1 is the beginning of a new civil year, and the usual time to make resolutions and to set goals for the coming year.
The first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of a new Church year, and a great time to reflect and to make spiritual resolutions for the coming year.
It may seem counter-intuitive that as we begin anew, the Scriptures today focus on endings – the end of the world, Christ’s final return in glory, and the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation. And yet, the wise advice of planners is appropriate: Begin with the end in mind. We need to know our destination before we plot the effective route to get there. So, what is the ultimate goal of your life?
Thinking of the end time, signs described in Luke’s Gospel seem fearsome and cause anxiety: wars, insurrections, cosmic changes in the sun and moon, periods of desolation and complete lack of hope. But the Prophet Jeremiah’s words in the first reading remind us that this will also be the time when God’s ultimate promise is fulfilled: God will raise a shoot from the house of David, who will do justice and right. And we will dwell in security.
St. Luke encourages us to be watchful but not over anxious – to prepare for the day by being faithful to our call as disciples. Good advice, whether we think of the end of the world, or the end of our own personal life.
As we reflect on the future, we are challenged in the midst of these days of upheaval in government, climate, and many other unknowns. As men and women of hope, we are called to be faithful in large and small matters, and to work for peace and justice and the protection of the rights of all.
I invite you to reflect this week on the following:
At this time of your life and the life of the world:
- What gives you hope and helps you maintain it?
- What one thing can you do this year to make a positive change in your home, your neighborhood, or your town?
- How can you help heal the divisions and results of the hate speech and antipathy we recently experienced in the political process?
- How does each day bring you closer to God and the reign of God?
God always fulfills the promises made – and sometimes through the prayers and efforts of God’s faithful followers. May it be so in our day.