Sunday Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons - 28 November 2021

First Sunday in Advent 1 -

Five words stand out for me from the Gospel of Luke on this First Sunday of Advent. They have a nice balance and rhythm to them, so here goes: 'sign', 'stand', 'beware', and 'be vigilant!'. Most of these words refer to something that is about to take place, at a time as yet unknown-but they create an impression of gathering tempo, or for those of us who follow the weather warnings, of a tremendous storm to come which will bring much damage. What then is it that causes `Jesus to proclaim the end of things in such a sombre and prophetic manner?

We know it is all part of a hope deep in our Christian faith of the 'Second Coming' of the Son of Man, in our faith it is attributed to the return of the Lord Jesus in glory at the end of time, a coming which is heralded by signs and portents, though it is supposed many will either ignore them or be confused. Would you? I am sometimes confused mainly because it takes time to sort out the various elements intertwined in this narrative, especially as part of this Gospel refers to the fall of Jerusalem and events already in the past! So maybe we need to approach these Advent readings, not in a spirit of fear, as some would have it, but in terms of watchfulness, being a little more alert to what is about and around us.

Let us hear again these words of Jesus: " But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand."(Lk 21:11)

This is not an admonition to fearfulness or anxiety, nor should we take it as such, instead it is a call to be aware of what we, as Christians, are about. We still need to remind ourselves that the Second Coming is in itself a 'gathering in' of all things, not an end, a harvest of something sown and grown rather than a demolition! Whilst we do have this double edged theme in Advent, the celebration of the incarnation and birth of Christ, a first advent, as well as that waiting for a second advent, the Eastern tradition in Christianity might help us weave these two together a bit more, for the first coming also brings the final victory over sin and death found in Christ's own resurrection but also the working out in salvation history of our own faith in Him through the all-present Holy Spirit.

Maybe I can share this simple illustration as we start this journey to the great feasts of the nativity. Saint Gregory the Theologian reminds us of what the Nativity is about:

"This is what we are celebrating today: the Coming of God to man, that we might go forth, or rather that we might go back to God, that putting off the old man we might put on the new; and that we have died in Adam, so we might live in Christ."

What he is pointing out is that the first coming of the Lord is where God becomes part of human life, so that all of us so can become like God, through His grace and mercy. This gift of the Word made flesh demonstrates the infinite and unconditional love of the Most High for us.

But it is more, the wonderful images found in this preparatory season of the Nativity draw into this love all of creation, all that has life and breath. That is why we are told not to let fear catch hold of us, nor let speculation about an end overpower our minds. We have been made part of God's life now, in that sense we should not fear about what is to come, for we are loved and forgiven, salvation is already here! Therefore let us be vigilant and alert this Advent not because of fearfulness, instead let's focus on the preparation of ourselves as living temples of that indwelling Holy Spirit ready to welcome others to the Lord we already love and follow. We are the 'sign' of love, we must 'stand' before the Living God, but also stand up for our joyful faith. We should 'beware' of all that leads away from grace , gift and hope and lastly be those who are 'vigilant' for Christ, always preparing the way for him to come into our hearts and lives.

Lectio

John Chrysostom - Preparing ourselves

Enter the Church and wash away our sins.

For here is a hospital and not a court of law.

Do not be ashamed to enter the Church:

be ashamed when you sin, but not when you repent.

Do you fast, give proof by your works.

If you see a poor person, take pity on them.

If you see a friend honoured, do not envy them.

Do not let only your mouth fast,

but also the eye and the ear and the feet

and the hands and all the members of our bodies.

Let your hands fast by being free of avarice.

Let the feet fast by ceasing to run after sin.

Let your eyes fast by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful.

Let the ear fast from not listening to evil talk and gossip.

Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.

For what good is it to abstain (fast) from birds and fishes,

but bite and devour our brothers and sisters?