Homily for the First Sunday of Advent – Cycle C – 29 November
2015
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14
1 Thessalonians 3:12 – 4:2
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
It is often said that the key to the central theme of the
readings can be found in the Psalm. This is usually true.
Sometimes, however, this key is a bit hidden. That is what
we are faced with today – an almost hidden theme, hidden right in plain
sight!
Let us start by looking at the first line of the
Psalm. “Your ways, O Lord, make known to me….” Now,
that seems like a rather straight-forward verse. And, on the
surface it is. We need to keep it in mind, however, as we go
through the readings and try to discern what our theme is for this First Sunday
of Advent.
Advent should be a happy time because we already know the
story. We may be waiting for Jesus – but he is already
here! We have cause to rejoice. Advent is for
rejoicing!
Indeed, this upbeat idea fits right into today’s
readings! And, this idea is in that first line of the Psalm too.
“Your ways, O Lord, make known to me.” What are
these ways and are they really joyful? Let us examine each of the
readings and see. The readings are all about our learning and
knowing the ways of the Lord, which is the plea of the Psalm. And
each reading is up lifting and happy.
In the reading from Jeremiah, the Lord says, “The days are
coming when I will fulfill the promise I made to the House of Israel and
Judah….In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell
secure.” The Lord also promises a leader who will do all that is
right and just. Those sound like rather exciting promises!
Imagine the land safe and secure. Imagine not having to
worry about anything that is not right or just and leaders who practice these
virtues in all things. This definitely fits the plea of the
Psalm. This is certainly very positive.
The second reading, from the First Letter to the
Thessalonians, is a direct answer to the cry of the Psalm. “May
the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all…to be
blameless in holiness before our God….(We) ask and exhort you…(that)…you should
conduct yourselves to please God….” These are the same directives
– the same ways of the Lord – that are found throughout Scripture, particularly
the New Testament. Definitely positive.
The Gospel from Luke also answers the query about the ways of
the Lord and specifically mentions right behavior so that we are not caught by
surprise. In this reading, however, the emphasis is on end times
and the writing itself is almost apocalyptic in nature as it talks about signs
in the skies and disruptions among nations and roaring waves and the coming of
the Son of Man. Even so, we are prepared so again we have a
positive and exciting message.
So, if we look at a succinct overview of what we have here,
we see that we are looking for the way of the Lord. We see the
promise and what will happen when the Lord reigns in Jeremiah; we see the
directives of Jesus (albeit through Paul) in Thessalonians; and we see the
warnings of the end times and the coming of the Son of Man in Luke.
This seems to be very much of an answer to the plea to be shown the way –
right through history, from the prophets, through Jesus, to the end.
And it is all there for our happiness, for our benefit.
What about this first Sunday of Advent though?
How does this fit – both with the theme and with the statement earlier
that Advent is a time of rejoicing?
Advent should be a time of excitement, of
exhilaration! We know the end of the story! We know
Jesus has already come! This is not a time for being
morose. We are getting ready for a birthday party!
Everyone knows how exciting it is to prepare for a birthday party!
People are happy. They are singing. They are
wrapping gifts. They are decorating. Why does the
church think advent must be so somber? What is wrong with
Christmas Carols during Advent? Nothing, I say!
We’re getting ready for a wonderful birthday party.
We know the story of Advent. We know about
waiting for the Messiah. Well, here in our readings today we have
the whole story! We have the initial promise, the basic rules for
doing what pleases God, and the final coming. What more could we
ask for?
Why are we glum during Advent? I have never
understood that. And I am excited that this year I have heard a
number of people wishing each other a “Happy Advent!” Indeed, it
should be a Happy Advent!! We know the whole story!
We know how the story will end for each of us individually and we know
how it will end for the world. Our individual ends are in sight;
the end of the world is probably several million years in the future.
Regardless, we must still be prepared. And, we do have
those directions. So we should rejoice. At least
that old stand by “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” has the word “rejoice” in it – even
if too many people do sing it like a funeral dirge!
So, what is Advent really about? Advent is a
reenactment of the wait for the Messiah. The Messiah is already
here; Advent is a reminder, a reenactment.
It is also a time for planning a birthday party.
Let us rejoice that Jesus has come as promised. Let us
rejoice that we know the story. Let us rejoice that we are each
invited to take part in his birthday celebration. The actual wait
was over 2000 years ago. Let us reenact the wait but let us do so
with a sense of jubilation because he did come and he is still here among
us.
Oh, and have a very Happy Advent!!
-- Roberta M. Meehan, D. Min.
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