Wind of Change

Scripture Reflection for the First Sunday of Advent (December 1, 2013)

Scripture Readings:
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:37-44

Many of the readings during Advent have kind of a “dooms day” scenario. They talk about wars, earthquakes and other calamities that foreshadow the end of the world. It makes us think that the end of times is something scary, something to be afraid of.

Instead, if we read the Scriptures for this Sunday carefully, this is not really the case. It is true that the Gospel reading sounds a little threatening when it compares the coming of the Son of Man with a thief that comes at night: “Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. The women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.” Some of the other readings instead make the “end times” sound more like a joyful event, almost like something to look forward to: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” – The promise that all peoples will walk in God’s path and live in peace with each other seems to be a good thing. Also the responsorial psalm invites us to go to the house of the Lord rejoicing! And St. Paul writes to the Romans that “our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

The second coming of Jesus shouldn’t be a threat, something to be afraid of. However, it certainly brings about change, and changes can be scary; changes can make you feel like you are living through an “earthquake.” Many people reject any form of change, even if it is a good one - just because it is a change. We have experienced it in our own lives; moving to a new city for college or going abroad for a volunteer experience. Even if we have chosen to do so and are excited about the opportunity, there is something scary about any change because it brings with it a good amount of uncertainty and it requires us to adapt to new circumstances.

In order to respond to the change, we need to prepare ourselves. And this is what Advent is inviting us to do: to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus. Some Scripture commentators speak of the “three” comings of Jesus: as an infant born of Mary in Bethlehem; his continued coming in our lives as we receive Jesus more deeply in our hearts; and finally, the ultimate coming in glory as the “Son of Man” at the end of the world. In any case, the coming of Jesus makes a difference. Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem definitely changed the course of history and his coming at the end of times will certainly change the world as we know it. But what about Jesus’ coming in our daily lives? Does it really change us? Do we allow Jesus to change us? Or are we too scared and want things to remain as they are?

St. Paul reminds the community in Rome what they have to do to be prepared for Jesus’ coming and how they should change their lifestyles. But the most important step he asks them to do is to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” – something we do in Baptism. But Baptism is not a one-time event. We need to live out our Baptismal call day after day throughout our lives. Our Baptism initiated us into communion with Christ and with each other. What can we do to nourish this communion so it can grow continuously and have an ever greater impact in our lives?

Advent is an invitation to stay “awake” and find ways to encounter Jesus to deepen our communion with Him. We can do so by finding time for prayer, participating in the liturgies, read or listen to the words of the Scriptures and by encountering Jesus in our suffering brothers and sisters. Let us open our hearts to Jesus’ coming and let us not be afraid of the change he may bring about. It may feel like an “earthquake”, but will ultimately be an anticipation of the “new heavens and the new earth” we are awaiting.

Image: "Candles in the Wind" by Federico Coppola. Found on Flickr under the Creative Commons License.