First Sunday of Advent [A]

 


FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT [A]


You brace yourself when the first reading comes from a prophetic book. Will it be something appealing? Or, more likely, will it be something unappealing? You’ll have to judge for yourself, with regard to this selection from the prophet Isaiah. Are you in the market for some peace? For some harmony? For some knowledge? If so, then you’ll welcome the vision that is being outlined in Isaiah chapter two. You’ll be thinking: Cut me a slice of that!! In other words, you’ll be attracted to this particular prophetic message. 


However, you’ll notice a shift when we proceed into the second reading. Now, we’re hearing about a path. Paul is concerned, not with a vision, but with a path (see Rom. 13:11-14). He’s hoping that we will choose the path of virtue, the path of honor, the path that will lead us into the light, thereby establishing ourselves as children of the light. The question to consider is whether or not these two readings might be able to interface with one another? Do they somehow interconnect? The vision certainly attracts us. But can it be realized? Perhaps the path is the key. When you follow the path featured in Romans 13, that’s how Isaiah’s vision becomes a reality. By pursuing the light, you transform into a child of the light. 


Meanwhile, having made this connection, let’s see if we can apply the words of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 24:37-44. First of all, we have a vision. Next, we’re concentrating on a path. Now, it’s all about URGENCY. Here is how it all adds up: you desire blessings, such as those being portrayed in the Book of the Prophet Isaiah; you’ll be more likely to experience those blessings if you adopt the path of blessing, the path being recommended by St. Paul; and it’s something that should be done sooner rather than later, factoring in the tone of urgency reflected in Matthew chapter 24. 


Perhaps it’s best to close with an illustration. Imagine a group of junior devils assembled in a classroom. They are being called upon to answer an essay question: What’s The Best Strategy For Corrupting A Soul? How do they respond? Among the responses, we hear one or two of the devils suggesting the “classic” approach: Tell the people that there is no God! If there’s no God, then it’s okay to sin! This earns them the grade of a “B.”  Others believe it’s better to tell people that there is no hell. You don’t have to worry about being condemned to a place of eternal punishment. They receive a B+. 


Only one student will be awarded an A+. According to this student, it requires too much energy, trying to overcome these time-honored beliefs. Instead of telling them that there is no God, or that there is no hell, simply tell them that…there is no hurry. If you’re thinking that you should reform your life, that’s a very good idea! Put it on your to-do list! But don’t feel like you have to hurry. It’s not like there has to be any real sense of urgency. Again, remember the phrasing of the essay question: what’s the best strategy for corrupting a soul? For the best results, tell them that there’s no need to be in a rush. 

Popular posts from this blog

Sermon For Trinity Sunday

Image
  TRINITY SUNDAY [C] We are prepared to observe Trinity Sunday. But are we prepared to go that extra step? Are we prepared to actually celebrate the Trinity? It’s expected of us. But it’s not easy, getting excited about the Trinity. It’s not just a doctrine; it’s something dense; it’s a profound mystery. How do you penetrate the mystery of one God being revealed in a Trinity of three Persons? Perhaps we should begin by picking up a Bible.  Now that your Bible is open, you find yourself being introduced to our God; you’re being introduced to him in the Book of Genesis. You will notice right away that he is a rather busy God. Busy in what way? He’s being an artist. He’s doing what artists typically do: he’s creating. He stands back, he admires his creation, and he pronounces it as “good” (Gen. 1:31). This episode doesn’t resolve all of your questions, but at least it’s a start.  Later on in the Bible, we will arrive at a particular juncture. St. Paul refers to it as “the ...
Read more

17th Sunday of Ordinary Time [C]

Image
17TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [C] Can anybody name the topic for this weekend? If you answer with “prayer,” then you’re at least partially correct. More specifically, we are dealing with the subject of PERSISTENT prayer. Note the example of Abraham in our first reading. He learns that a severe judgment is being handed down, concerning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. He responds with one petition after another, begging for the cities to be spared. As a result, we are now detecting flexibility, where previously there was no flexibility (see Gen. 18:16-33).  Jesus reaffirms the Abraham approach in this Gospel selection (Luke 11:1-13). When you pray, be sure to pray with persistence. What will that gain for you? Potentially, you will be blessed with the gift of mercy. That’s the point of focus for Abraham. And Paul likewise seems to be preoccupied with the gift of mercy as he writes to the community at Colossae. He proclaims that the bond being held against us has been nailed to the c...
Read more

Fifth Sunday of Lent [C]

Image
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT [C] Jesus wins a reprieve for the woman caught in adultery. He sends her on her way with the words: “sin no more” (John 8:11). Does she comply? We don’t know. But let’s suppose that she does comply; she takes the message to heart. What will this signify? As far as St. Paul is concerned, this signifies a type of liberation. She’s no longer carrying the burden of sin. Now she can run freely. In pursuit of what? Paul refers to it as “the finish line” (Phil. 3:14, original NAB translation). It’s “the prize” (revised NAB translation). In other words, it’s something very desirable, something appealing. It’s appealing in the same way that a river would hold appeal for someone journeying in the desert (see Isaiah 43:16-19). Isaiah looks forward to the day when God will transform the desert into a place of vitality. A river will be released, providing satisfaction for those who are in need of refreshment. God has had enough of the old; now a new plan will be unfolding....
Read more