(This homily was given by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde for the Mass celebrated on the First Sunday of Advent at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington on Sunday, Nov. 30.)
As I was preparing for today's homily, I came across these lines: “When we stand there in the presence of the Son of Man, will there be anything we will wish we had done? Now is the acceptable time.” This is an appropriate question as we begin the Season of Advent and a new liturgical year, a new Church year.
The question I just posed points to the fact that Christ will come again and that Advent has a two-fold character. Advent is the season which prepares us for Christmas when Christ's first coming to us is relived; Advent is also the season when that first coming directs our minds and hearts to await Christ's second coming at the end of time. As St. Cyril of Jerusalem puts it: “We do not preach only one coming of Christ but a second as well, much more glorious than the first.” In today's Gospel account, we hear of “the Son of Man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory.” And in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we read: “When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Saviour's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming” (No. 524). Of the four Advent Sunday Gospels, it is the first " today's " that emphasizes Christ's second coming, a theme which is also sustained throughout the weekdays of the first half of Advent, until Dec. 16.
So, then, Advent calls to mind the two comings of Christ; His second at the end of the world and His first, which we re-present at Christmas, and because of His first coming then, the coming of Christ into our lives, each day of our lives, through prayer, the Scriptures, the Holy Eucharist and the other Sacraments, and our communion or solidarity which we share with one another as members in Christ's Body, the Church.
Today's Gospel points to the Second Coming of Christ and urges us to be prepared. How? Jesus tells us in today's Gospel. By being vigilant, praying constantly and not allowing ourselves to become drowsy from carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life. This advice is so appropriate for each day of this new Church year. This advice recalls the purpose of the Church year which is to relive in our lives, the life of Jesus.
So, how well do we know Jesus? How much do we love Him? We must continue to know Him better and love Him more this year. As the second reading reminds us, let us “learn to make still greater progress.” How shall we do this? Certainly, we begin with prayer. Praying daily at home with family, and here in the liturgy at least weekly on Sunday: this opens us to the Lord's strengthening presence and deepens His life " divine grace " within us. We also should pray over, that is, reflect on the Scripture readings proposed for each day in Advent. In this way, His saving Word takes flesh within our minds and hearts. Kindness and generosity to others is yet another way to grow in holiness this Advent. As the second reading reminds us: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all " so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father.” We are preparing to give gifts at Christmas. The purpose of Christmas gifts is to reflect God's giving to us the priceless gift of His own Son. As we give gifts, let us certainly remember the poor. Within two weeks, the Catholic Charities collection will be taken up in all our parishes. We can also offer the gift of ourselves in service to one another. If we become more like Christ this Advent, then what a gift we can truly offer!
If we prepare well to re-present and re-live the first coming of Christ, then, we shall be ready for His second coming. As St. Augustine said: “Let us not resist His first coming, so that we will not dread His second coming.”
Yes, let us open our hearts each day of this Advent in joyful hope as we await the day of the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ! Every day this Advent, in prayer and by the way we live, let us invite the Lord: Come, Lord Jesus, Come!
