Today, as we mark the First Sunday of Advent 2010, we begin another church calendar "Year of Grace" in which the truly astounding mystery of "the breaking into human history of the Son of God himself" will once again – during the next 12 months - be presented for our intellectual consideration, our prayerful reflection, our worshipful response and our motivation for doing more good works out of love for God, who made it all possible.
The first reading today speaks of the fulfillment of a promise that God made with the house of Israel and Judah, to raise up for David a just shoot: one who would do only what is right and good in the land. In fact, there would be so much security in the land, that with the coming of this shoot, grown to full stature, Jerusalem itself will be called: "The Lord our justice!"
The injustice that existed there beforehand was as old as our first parents, who broke faith with God, mistrusted him, disobeyed him and set up their own system of justice that never did measure up to God's. But God's is the one that will count in the end.
In this original injustice, since God was offended, only one who was God could make up for the offense, but he would also have to be one like us to make the reparation effective for all of us. That perfect combination of a God – Man was Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of Man. We prepare now for four weeks for the celebration of his birthday: when the awesome majesty and splendor and power and love of God was found contained in a tiny little baby boy in a manger in Bethlehem. Only one who was so large in heart and power, could become so humble and small, for us and our salvation!
But not only do the Advent readings speak of Christ's "first coming" as a babe in Bethlehem, they begin by speaking of his "Second Coming" – as an exclamation point for the great feast of Christ as King of the Universe that we celebrated last Sunday, to culminate the past Liturgical Year. Jesus is indeed King – and one day he will come to be our judge just as he promised he would. And he promises that it will be a truly frightening day
for those who are caught off guard, for those who were not vigilant, for those who thought it might apply to everyone else except them. Not so! It applies to everyone! He is coming! And he will judge everyone! And he suggests that the best posture to have as we wait is to stand up straight, with head held high – with voices raised in praise and glory and thanks to his Father - as well as showing real proof of our love for God and our belief in him by being of loving service to others until the last trumpet!
For those who refuse to give him what is his due, he will turn them away from him – forever! But it need not be that way: all it takes is a willingness to ask the Lord for his merciful help and love, and for the gift of salvation!
And it shall be done for you!
The Lord is our HOPE and our SALVATION! He was born to be our HOPE, he would love to accompany us through our lives as our hope, and on the last day he would like very much to convert our hope into the BLESSED ASSURANCE OF A NEVERENDING EXPERIENCE OF HAPPINESS IN THE HEART OF GOD! O come Emmanuel and ransom your needy people!
No comments:
Post a Comment