First Sunday of Advent, 2018

On this first Sunday of Advent, we are reminded of two things through the scriptures for today. First, God keeps His promises! Second, we know exactly how to prepare for His coming because the Lord Himself told us.

Our first reading from Jeremiah is one of many references to the coming of Christ and what was foretold, came to pass at Jesus’ birth. The Psalm is a prayer asking for God’s guidance and acknowledging that if we are true to the Lord, He remains with us. Saint Paul reminds the Thessalonians and us as well, that love for each other is what God calls us to do and by doing so we are pleasing to God.

Finally, the Gospel refers to the second coming of Christ, but is also quite timely in light of the current issues in our Church. We are reminded that many events in the world can cause dismay, anxiety, and abandonment of the faith; but we are called to “stand erect and raise our heads” (to the One, True source of our faith) “because our redemption is at hand!” We are also called to be vigilant in our prayer so that we will have the strength to stand up against the enemy!

How perfect is God’s timing – that we come to this season of prayer and preparation just when we need it most!