Advent, A beautiful and meaningful beginning

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Advent Season: First Week : First Sunday*

*Gospel : Lk 21:25-28, 34-36*

*First Reading : Jer 33:14-16*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14*

*Second Reading : 1 Thes 3:12-4:2*

*Advent, A beautiful and meaningful beginning*

*1) New Liturgical Year*

We do celebrate the beginning of New Year on January 1st. 

Apart from this, each culture, tradition and religion follows their  own understanding of the New Year 

As Christians we do follow a special year and calendar, when it comes to our liturgical and faith celebration

With the first Sunday of Advent we begin a new Liturgical year

*2) Begin with Christ*

Many people have different things to begin the New Year 

We, Christians begin the New Liturgical year With Jesus, especially waiting for His Coming 

So Advent means *Arrival* or *Coming*

So we are looking forward the arrival of Jesus 

Accordingly we need to prepare for the arrival of Jesus 

*3) Arrival of Jesus : Pay attention to these things*

*A) Be Aware of the drowsiness of the Heart*

The Gospel of the day speaks about this in a most alarming way

*Drowsiness of heart from carousing*

Carousing means the activity of drinking alcohol and enjoying oneself with others in a noisy, lively way

In other words it means involving in self indulgence

*Drowsiness of heart from drunkenness*

Ephesians 5:18 says drunkenness leads to debauchery

Debauchery means excessive indulgence in sex, alcohol, or drugs, which ruins ones life 

 *Drowsiness of heart from the anxieties of daily life*

Too much anxieties of takes a person away from God. Worries do not allow the person to deepen his/her faith in God 

Too many anxieties also a sign that a person do not believe in the greatness and power of God.

Such an attitude do not allow us to grow in faith 

*B) Being vigilant is very important*

Why we need to be vigilant? Various reasons are given

*Coming of Jesus* This is certain. But we do not know when it will be. So we need to be vigilant

*Day is like a trap* One can't play with the trap. If one is careful one can save from trap. The coming of Jesus is like a trap. So we need to be vigilant

*Day will assault everyone* In a positive way assult means a crucial test to pass from one stage to the another

Negatively it is a scary, frightening, devastating things, which makes a person to lose all faith and confidence 

*C) The Need of Prayer*

This is the most important aspect of preparation for the coming of Jesus 

All the challenging things which are mentioned above can be faced successfully only with the power of prayer

Prayer is the best tool to prepare ourselves for the arrival of Jesus 

*D) Stand Erect with Raised Heads*

This is the clear sign one can depict for the arrival of Jesus 

One who prepares well for the coming of Jesus, has the great strength to stand erect with raised heads 

Standing erect with raised heads is the sign of courage

It is a sign of confidence

It is a sign of genuine and true preparation

It is a sign of remaining faithful to Jesus 

It is a sign of ones commitment to Jesus  

Am I able to stand erect with raised head??

*4) Coming of Jesus and Preparation*

December is a month of celebration 

We talk about Christmas and  other important things related things, like crib, stars, carols, singing and music 

What about the internal preparation?

The coimg  of Jesus and the arrival of Advent focuses more on the spiritual preparation for the arrival of Jesus

Which are the area I would like to prepare myself for the coming of Jesus? 

Material or mundane preparation? 

Or Spiritual preparation?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*