First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 2:1–5
Psalm 122:1–2, 3–4, 4–5, 6–7, 8–9
Romans 13:11–14
Matthew 24:37–44
Asked how he thought things would be in the new millennium at the end of the 1900s, a wise bishop commented that he did not expect much difference in the 2000s. The future arises from the present, and human beings are pretty much the same in each generation.
This bit of realism was in stark contrast to many predictions and expectations being expressed by others. The “age of the Jetsons” seemed to promise a world with more progress than the bishop predicted. In hindsight, we can see that the new millennium has still surprised us, and not necessarily in a good way.
Human progress is affirmed by the Church as a good thing. When human minds are intent on the search for truth and on how to “build a better mousetrap,” we often come up with a better way of life for many people. However, there is a trap for those whose sights are set only on earthly progress. The world is limited, and at times the work of our hands can turn against us, when we allow selfishness, narrow vision and pride to rule our choices.
The prophet Isaiah expressed hope in a prior age that still has power to draw our attention to a new way of thinking. “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” What we have used to divide and conquer can be changed by our will to seek peace and harmony among the warring factions. There is still a hope for unity.
The psalmist picks up the theme that was also included at the close of the previous liturgical year: “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” The house of the Lord, God’s dwelling among us, can show us how to live in this present age with our sights set on what is to come by God’s action.
Jesus and St. Paul call for us to keep awake, to be aware that something is in prospect. We cannot remain closed in on ourselves if we want to be ready for God’s action. This points us to the theme of the first weeks of Advent, the close of the age when Christ will return in glory.
Modern misconceptions can lead us to misunderstand what the Gospel is warning us about. It is not a description of a “rapture” where the good are taken and the evil are “left behind.” To be carried away by the flood is not to be taken into safety. Rather, it is to experience the destruction of all that we are attempting to do for ourselves “as in the days of Noah.”
If we are attached to “this age,” we will miss that there is an age to come that is beyond what this world can offer. If, on the other hand, we keep our eyes open and watch for the coming of the Lord, we will be able to meet Him where He is.