First Sunday of Advent
Christmas dinner in most homes is planned weeks in advance. Guests are expected; we must be ready for them with a magnificent feast. On that day, a perfect choreography of timing will ensure that everything arrives on the table hot and ready to eat. But what if we had no idea what time our guests would be arriving? Would we still be prepared? How would we greet them when they finally do arrive?'
On this first Sunday of Advent, we are given to recall and renew our greatest expectation, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as the faithful prepared for the glori-ous coming of the Messiah, no one knew the hour or even the day, let alone that this coming would be in such a humble place as a stable in Bethlehem. Likewise, Jesus cautions us that not even the angels in heaven know when the Son of God will return. "What I say to you, then, I say to all: Watch!"
As we remember the anticipation of the coming of the Messiah and renew our spirits to prepare for Christ's return, we must know that there is "no surer pledge or clearer sign of this great hope in the new heavens and new earth ... than the Eucharist." (CCC, 1405) We are anxiously awaiting the most glorious of guests, who promises to be with us soon if we only live through his eyes and his heart now. Our meal is prepared, our feast is ready. Are we?
