First Sunday of Advent
In sports and other areas of life getting a great start is essential for the outcome. Today we begin the season of Advent which of course begins the entire Liturgical Year, a nice occasion to wish someone a “Happy New Year” and leave them wondering what you meant! This beginning is quite different from the one needing balloons and horns to welcome the calendar year.
Balloons and horns are not fitting for Advent because its tone is serious. It carries the weight of the full History of Salvation which involves our role as one chosen to respond. We are called to be part of the greatest story ever told.
We have the advantage and the privilege of looking back more than 2,000 years ago to acknowledge how and why Jesus, the Messias was born, lived, died and rose again. Advent plunges us once again each year into the joyous mystery of the transformation of all creation, but also our day-to-day responsibility to live our gift of faith. Advent tells us to move toward the mystery.
Our liturgical readings for today set the tone of the chosen people’s longing for the presence of God. We hear the Prophet Isaiah proclaiming God’s Word to the people in exile. He tells them that they will be free, and they need to prepare to go on pilgrimage. Going on pilgrimage presupposes an interior preparation of the mind and heart. It teaches the pilgrim to make the proper response. We think of the Advent incident in which the Magi instinctively knew what to do when they came into the presence of the Christ child.
A key theme coming from the today’s second reading (Romans) and the Gospel (Matthew), and throughout Advent is, “Be alert and be ready.” No matter how many times we’ve heard these readings we know that the commercial noise of this season tends to smother or procrastinate our response to signs of the Lord’s presence. St. Paul rings a bell for us when he simply says, “Wake up from sleep.” Sleepwalking is possible, physical or spiritual.
Jesus is just as insistent as St. Paul when He challenges his disciples to seize the moment which may never come again. This is meant for us also. Could the beginning of Advent 2026 be the last for the world and us? Will we be ready?
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Advent, Daily Reflections