December 1, 2013 – First Sunday of Advent
Is 2: 1-5; Ps 122: 1-9; Rom 13: 11-14; Mt 24: 37-44
“The day is at hand.” (Romans 13:12) “Let us walk in the light of the Lord.” (Isaiah 2:5) These two quotes — the first from Paul’s letter, our second reading, and the second from the prophetic Book of Isaiah (our first reading) — alert us to the fact that this season of Advent is more than just a time to get ready. It is a time to act.
Stewardship is an action word; it is an action concept. It is a reminder that the Lord did not call us to be just a follower; He called us to be a disciple. That means doing things, and this sacred season is a great time to begin doing, or to expand what we are doing, or to improve what we are doing.
The Latin word adventus from which we get the word Advent means “coming.” But who is coming? Of course, we all know the answer to that — Jesus, because we celebrate His birth in just a few short weeks. The Lord reminds us in today’s Gospel that it is not just Christmas we are talking about: “Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” When are we to awaken? Now! Why are we to awaken? Because it is time to be spiritually alive and spiritually aware. How do we put our spiritual lives in order? We are to “put on the armor of light.” Jesus is coming, and we must be prepared.
