Let Us Put on the Armor of Light!

November 28, 2010, 1st Sunday of Advent

Let Us Put on the Armor of Light!

As we begin a new liturgical year with the season of Advent, we wish one another a spiritually fruitful New Year. It is unfortunate that many Catholics seem to give little importance to the liturgical year whose main purpose is to bring about our sanctification, which is the most important undertaking in our life. This Advent is, for all of us, an opportunity to rediscover the richness of this well-planned series of liturgical events, even as we start our remote preparation for Christmas. St. Paul’s exhortation to get rid of the “deeds of darkness” and to clothe ourselves

with the splendor of Christ’s grace should motivate us to begin this holy season with a clear plan of action and the determination to carry it out faithfully. Let this be one of the main intentions for which we offer this Eucharist.

First Reading:

Isaiah 2: 1 - 5

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1The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.2It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,3and many peoples shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.4He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.5O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Psalm:

Psalms 122: 1 - 9

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1I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!"2Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!3Jerusalem, built as a city which is bound firmly together,4to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.5There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! "May they prosper who love you!7Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers!"8For my brethren and companions' sake I will say, "Peace be within you!"9For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second Reading:

Romans 13: 11 - 14

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11Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed;12the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;13let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gospel:

Matthew 24: 37 - 44

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37As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man.38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,39and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man.40Then two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left.41Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left.42Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.43But know this, that if the householder had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into.44Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

A NOTE ON THE LITURGICAL YEAR AND ADVENT

The “liturgical year” is the period of time whose main events and features are determined by theChurch’s official worship, or “liturgy.” During the liturgical year, her main concern is the commemoration and re-living of God’s interventions in human history to bring mankind to salvation. Such series of divine interventionshad its climax in JESUS CHRIST and will find its completion in his Second Coming as Judge of all. The Church commemorates those events yearly in her liturgical worship, which she offers to God the Father, in union with her Head, Jesus Christ, under the guidance and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus Christ is the center of Salvation history, so is he the center of the liturgical year. The main events of salvation history are recalled during the “Liturgy of the Word” by proclaiming to the congregation of believers passages from the Sacred Scriptures which have been selected for their instruction and guidance. The selection of those scriptural passages follows a historical sequence that is based on the major events in the life of Jesus Christ, from his birth to his ascension into heaven and the sending of the Holy Spirit on the Church. Thus, for a practical purpose, the “liturgical year” is divided into “liturgical seasons” whose “cores” are: • the birth of Jesus (Christmas season); • his death, resurrection, ascension, and the sending of the Holy Spirit (Holy Week and Easter season); and • his apostolic life (Ordinary Time). The Christmas season is preceded by a period of preparation that is called “Advent”; while the Holy Week is preceded by a period of preparation called “Lent.” The most important event in the liturgical year is EASTER, which is the commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All other liturgical seasons and events are either a preparation for it, or a living out of its fruits of salvation. But the commemoration of the past events of salvation history, and especially the life of Jesus, is not simply a “calling them to mind.” They are also re-lived and made present and effective in the celebration of the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. ADVENT is the first “season” of the liturgical year. It comprises four weeks. Its main purposes are: a) to introduce the liturgical year by reminding the faithful of the Lord’s coming as their judge and, therefore, of the need to be always ready to welcome him; and b) to help them prepare themselves for the commemoration of Christ’s birth.

Time of Trials, Time to Witness to Christ

As we approach the end of the Year of the Church, the liturgy invites us to reflect on a very important event that will surely take place, but at a time that only God knows: the end of the world. The purpose of the invitation to reflect on that dramatic event is not to fill us with apprehension, but to bring us to make the right choices now. This means to live in a way that will enable us to face those dreadful moments with trust and hope, knowing that the one who will judge us will be the Lord whom we are doing our best to serve today. In this Eucharistic celebration, therefore, we will pray for the grace to constantly live in the Lord’s presence. May He find us doing well, at whatever time He may wish to come and take us with Him.

1st Reading Mal 3:19-20

The prophet Malachi reminds us that the “Day of the Lord” will be a day of justice when the wicked will be punished and the just rewarded.

Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble. And the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the Lord of hosts. But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.

The Word of the Lord!

2nd Reading 2 Thes 3:7-12

Awaiting the Lord’s coming does not excuse us from taking seriously our daily duties. The contrary should actually be true, as St. Paul reminds us today.

Brothers and sisters: You know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a disorderly way among you, nor did we eat food received free from anyone. On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day we worked, so as not to burden any of you. Not that we do not have the right. Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you, so that you might imitate us. In fact, when we were with you, we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat. We hear that some are conducting themselves among you in a disorderly way, by not keeping busy but minding the business of others. Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and to eat their own food.

The Word of the Lord!

Gospel Acclamation Lk 21:28

Gospel Lk 21:5-19

Today, the Lord Jesus reminds us that we should not worry about when the world will come to an end but about our disposition toward him. It is only faith in him and faithfulness to his law of love that will bring us to salvation.

While some people were speaking about how the Temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here – the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’ Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky. Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

The Gospel of the Lord!

The Day of Retribution and Hope

Herusalem was particularly dear to all the members of the Chosen People. And in the whole city, the dearest part of all was the Temple. This was the pride of every generation; the source of inspiration for every young Israelite; the most sacred place where every pious Jew could experience God’s special presence and favor. For many generations, the Temple had been a source of security and hope because the Lord – or so they thought – would never allow His House to be profaned, and even less to be destroyed. When Jeremiah dared to question that certitude, he was accused of treason and blasphemy (see Jer 7:3-15;26:2-11). But the events of history vindicated him: the whole of Jerusalem, including its Temple, were razed to the ground. (See 2 Kgs 25:9.) For a time, the people of Judah learned to put their trust in the living and all-holy God, rather than in buildings, no matter how majestic and sacred. They learned that what matters most in the eyes of God is the “heart” of man – what he chooses and what he rejects, what he treasures and what he despises. But soon they forgot it again. Their pride blinded them. As a consequence, they were not able to recognize the time of the Lord’s visitation. They rejected the Messiah of God – the terrible crime, in punishment for which the reconstructed Temple and the whole of Jerusalem would be reduced to rubble and ashes. Jesus foresaw it with tearful sadness. He wept over the Holy City. (See Lk 19:41.) He wept over all those who fail to set their hearts on the values of God’s Kingdom. Only those who choose and treasure God and His will can count on His protection. They become His living Temple. No lasting harm will touch them, for they belong to Him and He to them. Even when their earthly Jerusalem – what they hold most dear and sacred on earth – is torn down, they are able to find consolation in the thought that the enduring and more splendid Jerusalem is the one that awaits them in heaven. That is where they belong. Persecutions of many kinds may strike fiercely those who have vowed their hearts to Christ. As long as they do their best to live up to their commitment, the Lord will never forsake them. Nothing of what they ARE will be lost, even when they lose their life. The world may end (and the world does come to an end for millions of humans, every day!), but for those who have set their hearts on loving God and neighbor, and do what is right, the world of God’s eternal love will never come to an end. Such are the truths and fundamental attitudes that should be paramount in us when we reflect on the passing splendor of this earth, and the inevitable end that will come for everything that is temporal, and for everybody. Reckoning time need not be a time of terror. It can be – it should be! – a time of trust, hope, and fulfillment. The time of that wonderful face-to-face encounter with the One that in our earthly days we have perceived only in a vague manner from behind the veil of our limitations and suffering. It is up to us to transform an inevitable end into the beginning of an endless fulfillment.