Matthew 24:36-44
36“But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered th e ark, 39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
“Now our feet are standing at your gates, O Jerusalem"
This first Sunday of Advent, we are invited to start four weeks of preparing ourselves for the imminent coming of the Incarnated Son of God. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14.
Ancient pilgrims going up to Jerusalem were standing at the gates to purify themselves before they entered the holy city. Once inside, they had to do the same again before entering the Temple. A process of purification is required to get ready for being in God's House and Presence.
Through this liturgical season of Advent, the church reminds us of the necessity to purify our hearts and minds before welcoming and remembering the first coming of Christ among us.
When you stand at the base of the ancient southern steps in Jerusalem today, they have a few of these viewpoint places you can look through, having the steps in the background.
External decorations, celebrations and festivities lack the essence of this event unless they lead us to Jesus. Times of reflection and silent meditation may inspire in us three forms of His coming and prepare us for the fourth.
1) The first coming of Christ was in the "fullness of time.” Galatians 4:4, “When the set time had fully come, God sent his son, born of a woman…” This is the Christmas mystery of Love and Salvation.
2) The daily coming of God into our hearts and minds through our prayers is opening a door in response to His call. Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
3) The third coming happens when we receive Him in the sacrament of the Breaking of the Bread and when we love our neighbors as He loves us.
4) The fourth coming will happen when He "comes again to judge the living and the dead.”
We are living in this time of "already but not yet.” He has already come, but the final aim to share in His banquet in the life to come is not here yet.
May we take some time to reflect, meditate, prepare and live this meaningful season of Advent. Be aware of and responsive to its spiritual depth. This can also help to prepare us for that unexpected hour when Jesus comes again.
My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, Lord…for great is your Love. Psalm 57:7-10a.