Readings for December 1, 2019
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122:1-9
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:37-44
The First Sunday of Advent
In the depths of the Minnesota winter, we might see 9 hours of sunlight each day. Assuming I can get 6-7 hours of sleep each night, that still leaves me as much as 9 hours of “darkness” in my day, or about half of my waking hours. But even in the metaphorical winters of my life, Paul exhorts me to wake up, “throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” And neither the pleasures of a warm shower nor a piquant cup of coffee will be enough to abjure darkness and bring out the light. Only prayer can do that.
So I prayerfully greet the season of Advent in anticipation of the world receiving the Light of Christ. After all, adventus is Latin for coming, or arrival. And this liturgical season celebrates both the arrival of Jesus at Christmas as well as the anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ (CCC524).
Jesus is the light of the world. We take this time in Advent to prepare for his coming. Our God dwelt among us more than 2,000 years ago and he will return. Joyfully, then, we toss aside our darkness and prepare for him by putting on his light through prayer.
Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Reflections from the Pew 