Luke 21:25-36
25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34 “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
"Prepare, be on guard and alert"
As we close this year that is about to end, and prepare for a new year, today's Gospel calls us to stop, think, and give an account of ourselves. This is similar to the inventory that a merchant takes at the end of the year, but it goes beyond financial accounting to a spiritual one. We need to examine the quality of the contributions we have made to raising and building our society and our Church, and the quality of blessings and gifts we have received for ourselves.
This is the time of the sieve, in which we shake off what was hindering our spiritual growth with Jesus, and store what His grace has produced in us for a broader and better investment (see The Parable of the Talents in Luke 19:11-27).
In today's reading, Jesus foretells what He knows about the end of time. He hints about the signs in the sun, the moon, the earth, and what is expected to happen when the end comes closer. Signs are usually about directions and orientations, or how close or faraway we are from our target. Examining these signs, we reconsider the energy and the ability we need to reach our target safely. This is what we are invited to do during this Advent season and this is what Advent stands for.
We are invited to be on our guard and alert, preparing our souls and minds to welcome Christmas with a renewed and receptive spirit. Let's be able to conduct self-examination and be ready to strive for our best. Jesus deserves the best from us and, with Him, we can rise to be our best.
Each week during this season, many churches will light candles on an Advent wreath. They represent hope, peace, joy and love. These are in anticipation of Christ's nativity, incarnating God's love, joyful redemption and salvation.
Let us live this time with repentance, wise preparations and a determination to welcome Christ the Lord, while also being on guard and alert for His second coming. Advent Blessings to you and yours, amen!