27/11/2005 - 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
- Year B
First Reading Isaiah 63:16-17, 19; 64:1-7 Psalm 79
Second Reading 1Corintheans 1:3-9 Gospel Mark 13:33-37
During the year of the Eucharist (2004-2005), I would begin each Sunday's homily
with a brief moment of catechesis. This practice was welcomed by many. So, I
think, I'd like to continue this in the new liturgical year, as well. We will
quickly, and briefly, read the commandments. My intentions is, only, to arouse
in you the desire and the will to continue to learn, to attend other moments
of catechesis or, perhaps, to reading the catechism!
When the young man who had many riches ran to ask Jesus what to do so that he
might have God's life within him, the Lord, before answering his questions,
wanted to ascertain: "You know the commandments, 'do not kill, do not commit
adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not covet they neighbour's
goods, honour your mother and father" (Matthew 19:18). Having obtained
a positive response, He fixed on him a special look of love and gave him an
answer which we all know. But, first of all, the Lord placed the young man before
the word of knowledge which rules the life of each of us and of all the peoples:
the commandments! Therefore, they are very important because they prepare us
to welcome the words of Jesus, which follow. He will not ask each of us to hear
the sequel, without being assured that we are willing to obey God's Word! Obeying
the commandments, therefore, means welcoming the Gospel. Jesus was welcomed
more readily by those who had first accepted the news by John the Baptist, who
proposed that they confess their sins!
Today Jesus wants to tell us all what He told His disciples: He strongly recommends
that they awaken. Being awake means being ready for the return of the master
of the house, who had gone away. We know who the master of the house is, whom
the servants have not seen for a long time; but we don't know when He will decide
to return, or when He will be back. His servants must continue to remain His
servants and to live for Him. This is easy, if they love Him! It would be much
more difficult, if they were to serve Him out of fear. This is the warning of
Jesus that we want to hear.
I imagine that you, too, ask yourself, as I do, 'what does Jesus want to tell
us, in speaking of the return of the master of the house?' Many times Christians
have thought this to be the day of one's death. Have they guessed Jesus' intention?
Partially maybe. Perhaps He wants us to think of our death as a time for meeting
Him; but it may be that He wants us to welcome Him every day. If we were aware
of His presence, we would have reason to offer our loving service to Him every
day. In fact, He comes to us in many ways, and He calls us to love and serve
our brothers, those we know and some we don't know, in many different ways,
by listening to them, telling them about Jesus' teachings, by comforting them
and encouraging them to continue to be faithful to Him.
Saint Paul reminds the Corinthians to await the coming of the Lord, but recognizes
that the waiting is, for them, an opportunity to offer one another "the
gifts of grace" which they received from the Lord, Himself. This love,
shared among the members of the Christian community, is a testimony raised to
Jesus Christ; a testimony which helps us, even more, to be ready for a more
intense and definitive encounter with the Lord.
Jesus' coming is, for those who love Him, a strong and continual desire. We
have, as example, the people of Israel, who, in a loud voice, expressed the
prayer suggested by the prophet Isaiah: "O that you would open the heavens
and come down"! If the Lord would break down all that hinders us to see
Him and meet Him! If He would come near us! This is why He listened to the prayer
raised in the temple of Jerusalem, every day; He heard it and He came, He established
His kingdom in our midst. He gave us His Spirit so that our lives could be completely
renewed and capable of renewing the face of the earth, with love and forgiveness,
with patience and humility, with kindness and mercy. He came, and He offered
Himself, so that we may be freed from sin and its consequences. But, He entrusted
us with His gifts, His word and concrete signs of His love, with His Body and
Blood, and His new structure which was built on secure rock. Therefore, "He
went on a journey", and we will not see Him again. That is why we, too,
who are an erring people, intent on hiding our sins, repeat the ancient prayer:
O that you would open the heavens and come down! When you come, Jesus, and we
welcome You, You will renew us, You will fill us with joy, You will make us
capable of living love, without concern for ourselves, and our community will
be full, and His Church will be a splendid testimony for You!