First Sunday of Advent
Here we are at the beginning of another Church year, as we continue to live with COVID 19 the last 2 years have been some going as we hope to see better days in the year ahead. we pray in a special way for the African Nations who are affected by the current COVID variant . This weekend we have a change of colour and a change mood we go from the green of Ordinary time to the Purple which symbolizes the penitential season of Advent. We also light the first purple candle on the advent wreath and place the symbols on the Jesse tree. Advent is the season that brings us back to the ancient longing of the human race for the coming of one who would bring liberation from sadness and the fulfillment of perfect peace to this world. The word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. The Lord is coming may the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.
During Advent we recall the history of God’s people and reflect on how the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament were fulfilled. At the beginning of each church year we are reminded that Jesus the Christ is present as a person to us. The prophet Jeremiah foretold the day when God would send his Messiah King to “execute justice and righteousness in the land” (Jeremiah 33:15). Jesus is the fulfillment of this promise and every promise which God has made. In these short verses in the Gospel, Jesus described the beginning of God’s final initiative. He would give signs of warning across the sky, cause anxiety on earth with violent sea storms, and shake up the heavens. Today we would explain this scientifically as eclipses, meteor showers, and the result of storm systems. The ancient people attributed to God’s intervention in the order of the cosmos.
God would shake things up and so he does today as we look at Pope Francis and the way he challenges us as individuals and as members of the Church. People of Jesus time would grow anxious because their faith systems and rituals failed. But, Christians were to rejoice. Their Savior was close at hand! Now, their world view and lifestyle would be vindicated. Luke presents this time as a time of hope filled anticipation. Through great power and glory, the Son of Man would come and free his followers. Unlike the anxious people of the world, the Christian people were to anticipate the end in hope. During Advent, we are invited to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord – to wait in joyful hope as we prepare for the annual celebration of his birth. So now let us go forth in peace and hope to prepare over these next few weeks to meet the Lord at Christmas.
Fullerton T 