First Sunday of Advent
Reflection
“Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths.”“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
“Peace be within you!”
“As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man……So too, you also must be prepared…, the Son of Man will come.”
These quotes from today’s readings of Isaiah, Psalms, and Matthew left me thinking. How should I prepare as we begin the Season of Advent?
First, I pondered the meaning of the first reading and thought about the wonderful gift God had given us. Namely, an invitation to a Holy temple where we could learn the ways of the Lord and walk in His path of instructions. Next, I thought of a response to this invitation, namely, committing to going to this house. Certainly, through this invitation and commitment, we would take on having peace within us. An inner, deep resolve to war no more, and turn our energies toward the salvation of all mankind and nations. Concluding with the Gospel is a direct reminder of several things. Our time will end, and we do not choose that time. So, prepare with all things good, throw off the temptations of evil, and rejoice that the Son of Man will come.
His promise should leave us with a feeling of hope and trust as we share His holiness within us through compassion and care for others. As the Holy Family struggled on their path to Bethlehem, we, too, in our struggles, should ask the Lord for the strength and courage to make our way to the celebration of Christ’s birth and the promise of our salvation.
