Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5, Ps. 122:1-2,4-5,6-9, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:37-44
“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.” (Isaiah 2:3)
As Jesus took flesh in Mary’s womb, the season of Advent offers an opportunity for us to prepare ourselves so that Christ can once again take flesh in our own lives. The colour purple is a penitential colour. It reminds us of the season of Lent and of All Souls Day. Purple is the colour of the stole worn by the priest at the confessional. In many dioceses across Nigeria, purple is also the colour of vestments used at funerals.
For the next four weeks, the dominant colour for Mass will be purple – a colour that reminds us of our fragility, the need to repent, or better put, the need to purge our hearts of anything that would be hostile to the coming of Christ. Our readings today provide us with what I describe as three keys of Advent:
Key 1. Advent is a Time to Cast Away the Works of Darkness
In today’s first reading, we hear the Prophet Isaiah admonishing us: “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” St. Paul expands on this in our second reading, saying, “You know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep… the night is far gone, let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light.”
In St. Paul’s words, Advent is a time to “avoid drunkenness, licentiousness (anything goes), quarrelling, jealousy, and indulgence of the flesh.” As Isaiah states, this is a time to allow the mountain of the Lord to be established as the highest of the mountains. In other words, this is a time for us to pay more attention to the things of God, to put God first, and to talk about God, so that those living in darkness (those who think that there is no God) may, through our celebration, begin to recognise and worship God.
Key 2. Advent is a Time to Forgive, Reconcile and Make Peace
The Prophet Isaiah says, “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks, nation shall not lift sword against nation, and neither shall they learn war anymore.” If we elevate the mountain of God above all other peaks, if we pursue God above every other goal, the natural outcome is peace. As St. Augustine would say, our hearts are restless until they find rest in God. Anyone who holds God in their heart not only experiences the peace that this world cannot provide (Cf. John 14:27) but also becomes a conduit of peace, spreading God’s love and mercy everywhere.
At Christmas, we celebrate God’s love for a people who were so unworthy of it. It was while we were still sinners that God sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us (Cf. Romans 5:8). Just as Christ did for us, we are also called to do the same for others; to go out of our way to help those most unworthy of our love. As we seek forgiveness for our sins during this penitential season of Advent, we cannot help but become agents of forgiveness ourselves.
In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus taught us to pray: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who sin against us.” Jesus warned: “But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:15). It is not enough that we hang decorations, lights, and pictures of Jesus this season; let us display the virtues of Christ, chief among them forgiveness and mercy. Putting up fancy lights is very expensive; not many can afford them, but another light costs nothing and is accessible to all: the light of mercy upon those who have hurt us.
Key 3. Advent is a Time to Watch and Pray
In our Gospel reading, Jesus says: “Watch, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” Being watchful is a figure of speech that means: to be alert in spirit; to be alert to temptations; to be alert against spiritual laziness. The Psalmist prays: “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not turn my heart to any evil.” (Psalm 141:3-4). The book of Proverbs 4:23 adds: “Guard your heart with all vigilance, for out of it proceed the wellsprings of life.” Being watchful is guarding your heart so that no evil thought can enter and dwell there.
As St. Peter tells us, “Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion, your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith.” (1st Peter 5:8-9). The key to vigilance is prayerfulness. Advent is a time to increase and deepen our prayer lives. The more time we dedicate to God daily, the more spiritually aware we become. A heart that does not make time for God is like an abandoned building that becomes a home for grass and other creatures. To watch is to pray. How else will Christ be reborn in our hearts if we do not pray?
Let us pray: Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (1st Sunday of Advent Liturgical Colour: Purple. Bible Study: Isaiah 2:1-5, Ps. 122:1-2,4-5,6-9, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:37-44)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu