December 3, 2017

1st Sunday of Advent B Isaiah 63: 16-17, 19; 64: 2-7; 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9; Mark 13: 33-37 The commercialism of Christmas has certainly put a damper on our liturgical season of Advent. We seem to be so absorbed with the shopping, decorating, parties, ‘being of good cheer’ that we are exhausted when Christmas comes. We can’t seem to get in touch with the Old Testament prophets who have been anticipating the coming of the Messiah for ages. The season of Advent and the readings do a wonderful job preparing us for the ‘surprising and previously unknown fact of the mystery of the ‘Word made flesh’ in a very dramatic way. Am I caught up in this excitement? Am I so bogged down in necessary preparations that distract me from God’s intense love and care for me? The best way to get in touch with the season is in the context of prayer. Can I take a little quiet time each week to read the Advent Sunday Scripture passages? How have these influenced me, changed me, made me grateful, help me understand a bit of the great mystery of God? Do I know that God loves me this much to send His Son to me, for me? An overview of the readings today on this first Advent Sunday, give us pause to reflect on the mystery of God. Some think that God comes only in dramatic ways…some think that God comes in quiet ways… and some just wonder if God ever comes to them. The bottom line is that the decision is up to God. What am I doing to be aware? What am I doing to open myself so I can be aware God is present and wants to have a relationship with me? Jesus’ last sentence in today’s Gospel sets the goal, “What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’” Isaiah states the burning question that we are struggling with this season, “Why do you let us wander, O Lord, from your ways and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?” ( The Hebrew word ‘fear’: Each Hebrew word has only one meaning but can have different applications. This word can mean ‘fear’ or ‘reverence’. Have you ever been so scared or been in the presence of something so amazing that you could feel it in your gut? This ‘feeling’ is the meaning of this word. The Hebrews were a very emotional people, and in many cases their words are describing a ‘feeling’ rather than an action.’ … I found this on Google) Now the people of Israel were appealing to God. They had been working on their spiritual lives after many years resisting God’s efforts. Now they wanted to recommit themselves to God. They are calling God “Our Father” like the Prodigal Son of the Lord’s parable. They understand now that only God can keep them safe. They understand that God can mold them, shape them like clay in a potter’s hand into something beautiful. Will they let God do this? Can we let God do this? Also the people now call themselves God’s servants. They are now willing to accept God’s plan in their lives. Is it God’s way I live by or is it my way? Is it all about God, or is it all about me? Am I looking at more things for me this Christmas? Am I doing things so that I look good to others? I cannot get in touch with God’s loving me if I am absorbed in my loving myself. Can I recommit myself this Advent? Paul is congratulating the Corinthians on the graces and spiritual gifts that the community of believers have received. Paul is confident that God will keep them strong in their faith. They have to remain open to the grace of the Holy Spirit. They have done this for a while and then these gifts ‘get into their head’ and become a source of rivalry between them. Does this happen to us? Are we so proud of how much ‘I’ have accomplished on my Christmas plans that I feel God’s coming is automatic and I will certainly know His coming? Jesus says, “What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’” AM I watching? This section of Mark’s Gospel is sometimes referred to as the ‘Little Apocalypse’. Mark is looking into uncovering the mysteries of the future, the last things: death, resurrection, judgment and the afterlife. His community was wondering when Jesus was coming again…a number of the apostles and followers who had witnessed Jesus were dying off…and Roman and Jewish persecutions were happening. His strong admonition is to ’watch and be alert’. Jesus has been talking about the coming at the end of time, including the destruction of the magnificent wonder of the world, Solomon’s Temple. No one knows when this will happen. Jesus seems to be implying very strongly that it is coming. What is the time frame when this will happen? I am inquisitive. I want to know…I would explore the house to find out what gifts I would be receiving at Christmas. There is a huge amount of works written on when the end of the world will occur. God knows…I don’t. Jesus is pointing to signs that will happen before the coming of this end day. He warns us against believing them. So how do I prepare for what I don’t know when ‘it’ is happening? Always be ready, always be alert, always watchful, and PRAY. Jesus wants us to be active in our waiting. HE wants us to look at our lives and see if we are living in conformity with the Lord or with the world. He is saying am I so engrossed with Christmas, that I might miss Him? Very, very few were aware of His coming: the shepherds and magi were and responded, no one else did. Am I aware? Am I devoting myself to realize that God wants a relationship with me…one of love? The primary purpose of prayer is to draw me closer to the Lord. This is how I become more open to receiving what God wants to give me. When I work on my spirituality of being aware, the Holy Spirit is gracing every aspect of my life. This affects the way I feel about money. It affects the way I feel about the poor and the needy. It affects that way I feel and interact with my family and friends. It affects my relationships by making me more forgiving, more caring, more loving. It affects the time I spend with the Lord of love. So I reflect on: • What small steps can I take so that I am more mindful of God’s presence? • How can I make Christ’s coming known? • Were do I need God in my life during this hectic time? Can I find time for one moment a day? • I can easily become discouraged. How much am I trusting that God is using me to bring peace and love? • Am I building up my spiritual resume? Sacred Space 2018 says: “Jesus is speaking of His second coming at the end of time. We must live so that it does not matter when He comes. Our life becomes a preparation for the vision of happiness. Do I anticipate the Lord’s coming, or do I dread it? Why do I feel as I do about this?