First Sunday of Advent
Joan Chittister says: "The function of Advent is to remind us what we're waiting for as we go through life too busy with things that do not matter to remember the things that do. Advent asked the question, what is it for which you are spending your life?"
Traditionally, the emphasis this Sunday is on expectation, hope and prophecy. This draws attention to the anticipation of the coming of an Anointed One, a Messiah that weaves its way like a golden thread through Old Testament history. As God’s people were abused by power-hungry kings, led astray by false prophets, and lulled into apathy by weak religious leaders, they longed for God to be a presence in their midst.
The scripture for this year emphasizes that we must be ready; we must change our ways for we do not know when the Son of Man will come:
"But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 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. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Matt 24:36-44 (NRSV)
Traditionally, the emphasis this Sunday is on expectation, hope and prophecy. This draws attention to the anticipation of the coming of an Anointed One, a Messiah that weaves its way like a golden thread through Old Testament history. As God’s people were abused by power-hungry kings, led astray by false prophets, and lulled into apathy by weak religious leaders, they longed for God to be a presence in their midst.
The scripture for this year emphasizes that we must be ready; we must change our ways for we do not know when the Son of Man will come:
"But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 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. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Matt 24:36-44 (NRSV)
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