KNOW THE ONE YOU ARE WAITING FOR.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT. YEAR B.
November 30, 2008.
(First reading: Isaiah 63:16-17, 19, 64:2-7) (Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19)
(Second reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9) (Gospel: Mark 13:33-37)


KNOW THE ONE YOU
ARE WAITING FOR.

In order to "watchfully wait" (Mark 13:37) for someone, we must know the person we are waiting for. The more we know about him, the more watchful will our waiting be.

Our world is not willing to wait for Jesus because it does not know him nor does it desire his coming.

Why doesn't the world want Christ to come to us?
Because the world has already welcome its own gods: the god of wealth, the god of materialism, the god of worldly power, the god of selfishness and false appearances.

The world seems to be convinced that there is nothing better than the gods it already has. The world sees Jesus as an intruder, as a spoiler, as a threat.

In this time of Advent Jesus wants to make his presence felt among humanity, he wants human beings to know that he is the true liberator, the one who has the power to free human beings from sin, injustice, war and destruction.

If we do not want to miss his coming, we must be "awake".

Who is awake?
He is "awake" who works for justice and peace, for unity and mutual respect among all peoples. He is "awake" who has come to know Jesus and cherish the peace, justice, unity and liberation he stands for. This expectation at the Lord's coming keeps the person "awake".

Those who remain "awake" will receive the liberation and salvation Jesus brings to the world.
Those who struggle for peace and justice, for unity and equality are in themselves a visible testimony of the presence of the Lord among us. Therefore, we can say that we already have in our midst the fruits of the Lord's coming.

Saint Paul says to those who watchfully wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ: "You were enriched in every way with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you await for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 1:5-7)

All who have come to know what Jesus stands for are the ones who can keep a watchful wait for him.