1st Sunday of Advent (B) 3rd December 2023

A Reflection by:
FR SAVIO DE SALES
ST ANTHONY'S CHURCH,
VAKOLA, MUMBAI
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We mark the passing of time by celebrating special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. Some days are more special for us than other days. Wedding days are special days and wedding anniversaries are special days. In one sense, those special days are the same as every day because the sun rises and sets in the same way and everybody goes about their business in the normal way, but for the happy couple such a day is a special day, a day to be celebrated, a day for which to be thankful and grateful.
Today is a special day, and not just a day, but the beginning of a special season, Advent. During Advent we focus on waiting, waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus, and during the week before Christmas our waiting changes to waiting for our celebration of the birth of Jesus. Anytime we wait, we do so because we expect something to happen-we wait for a bus or train because we expect it to arrive. When we are waiting for a bus or train, we cannot see it coming but hope it will come. During Advent we are waiting for the Second Coming of Jesus because the Second Coming of Jesus will bring all God’s plans for the world to completion. As we wait in hope for the Second Coming of Jesus, we know he is with us in so many ways especially in the sacraments. So, during Advent we are conscious of God being present with us while we await the fulfilment of God’s plans.
Advent has always been a happy time for most people, even in difficult times, because there is something about Christmas and the coming of the Messiah and the coming of the Lord, and the realization of all the promises that God has made to His people find their fulfilment in a stable, a little child, a poor young teenage mother and her gravely worried husband into whose care God had placed this most precious twosome.
I think there’s something that stirs great hope in us. And so Advent is really a time for hope. It’s a time when we put aside major worries in our life and realise that God is with us.
Our first reading from Isaiah is both a prophetic message, as well as a prayer of hope. Isaiah begins by acknowledging the greatness of God: “O Lord you are our Father, Our Redeemer is your ancient name…” Then, he makes a petition to God: “Why leave us to stray from your ways…Oh that you would tear the heavens open and come down…?”
This is a prayer of hope. As Isaiah rightly demanded, God will not keep silent until we are saved. That salvation is what our hope in Christ will accomplish for us. Therefore, when Isaiah asks God to tear the heavens and come down, he expects God to come quickly.
In our second reading, Paul encourages us to be faithful as we wait for the coming of Christ. Though, Paul was referring to the parousia, yet, this reading is very ad rem to this season of Advent. Paul reminds us that we have received the gifts of the Spirit. It is these gifts of the Spirit that will strengthen us as we wait in joyful hope for Christ.
Our life is a long vigil, waiting for the Lord to be revealed in all his glory. So, we wait with expectation and joyful hope because His Spirit is with us. If we walk with him this season, God will not fail us because: “our expectation shall not be cut short” (Pr 23, 18). So, as the Spirit guides us, we must prepare prayerfully, through the help of the Sacraments. This is especially, through the sacrament of reconciliation.
The gospel of today is a clarion call to be awake and alert. Only the Spirit of God can help us do this faithfully. Therefore, rather than obey the spirit of this world this season, we must obey the Spirit of God, who sustains us. So, let us have our minds fixed on him.
It suffices to note that if we light up our houses and streets, without lightening up our lives spiritually for Christ to walk into it; if we prepare all things and places without preparing a manger for baby Jesus in our lives, then our preparation would not be complete.
My brothers and sisters, Advent is about getting ready for our Lord to come. But it is also a reminder that he has already come. He has already entered into the reality of our human existence and he is still with us.
Advent reminds us that Jesus is always arriving. In the people he sends into our lives. In the challenges we face every day. In the burdens we carry. Even in our sufferings.
And Advent reminds us that God is faithful! His love for us is true.
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So, let’s do that this Advent. Let’s be “on the look-out” for God. He is all around us! He is with us. If we watch for him, if we stay alert - we will see his love everywhere around us.
As we begin this journey toward the birth of our Saviour, let us stay close to his Mother Mary. May she help us this Advent to come to a new awareness of the presence of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in our lives!

[@pkerketta35]

Thank you father for beautiful message, which is short but sweet. God bless you.

[@sretnazvijezda400]

✨️🕯✨️✨️Emmanuel 🙏

[@alfareenkurbah1536]

🙏🙏

[@fshdyhdudjrj8060]

Beautiful reflecting thank you father Amen Amen 🙏🏻

[@kakamarselino6706]

beautiful reflection father

[@arulmary603]

Why not we add on his existence from his birth to till future, finding way to pass on to our younger ones