First Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5

Reflection:

The Prophet Isaiah ministered in the late eighth century B.C., which was a tumultuous time in Israel’s history. It was during this time period that the Northern Kingdom was destroyed by the Assyrians (722 B.C.) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah was at risk of being destroyed too. Still, in this first reading, Isaiah foresaw brighter days. He envisioned a time of peace when “all nations” would come to the Lord’s house, allowing Him to instruct them so they could “walk in His paths.”

These words of Isaiah have been fulfilled with the coming of Christ and His establishment of the Church. It is in Jesus Christ and through the Church that “all nations” are able to come to the Lord’s house. In fact, the word “catholic” means “universal,” referring to the nature of the Church as being for all nations, all peoples. Jesus is the new Temple, the fulfilled “house of the God of Jacob,” in whom the fullness of God dwells. Within the Church and through the Scriptures, Jesus “instruct(s) us in his ways.”

Jesus is the “word of the Lord” made flesh who was prophesied by Isaiah (see John 1:1). He is the Prince of Peace, who makes it possible for people to “beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” He brings peace, where sin brings violence and war. In Jesus, there can be true peace and unity. But in order for us to experience that peace and unity, we must “walk in the light of the Lord,” as Isaiah calls us to do. We must follow Him wherever He leads us. The light of the Advent candles during this season reminds us of this call. Each time you light an Advent candle or see one lit at church, may it therefore be a reminder to “walk in the light of the Lord” each and every day. The second reading also picks up on this theme of light.

Second Reading: Romans 13:11-14

Reflection:

The Apostle Paul here exhorts the Christians in Rome to “awake from sleep.” He is encouraging them to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ (which we profess in the Creed every Sunday when we say “He will come again in glory…”). This passage is placed here in the liturgical year to help us understand that we are called to prepare too. During Advent, we focus on preparing to celebrate the first coming of Christ at Christmas (i.e. the Incarnation). At the same time, the Scripture readings invite us to reflect on the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time. We must prepare ourselves for that encounter with the Lord. During this season of Advent, therefore, we ought to heed the words of St. Paul to “throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” If we fill our lives with the light of Christ, there will be no room for the dark “desires of the flesh,” which are opposed to the will of God. Thus, let us “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” allowing Him to fill us with His grace and live in His radiant light.

A few practical ways to apply these principles and utilize Advent as a season of preparation, include: 1) Spending extra time in prayer each day; 2) Reading and reflecting on the Scriptures, along with devotional books, more regularly; 3) Committing to giving up (fasting from) a bad habit (it could be a sinful behavior or simply something that takes away time, energy, or resources from more edifying habits). That self-discipline of saying “no” to something helps apply St. Paul’s exhortation to “make no provision for the desires of the flesh”; and 4) Visiting the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Confessing your sins and receiving God’s grace and forgiveness in that Sacrament allows you to “throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 24:37-44

Reflection:

Like in the second reading, the Gospel speaks of the Second Coming of Christ. Here Jesus exhorts His followers to prepare for His return. Although no one knows “that day and hour” when the return will occur (Matt. 24:36), we must be watchful and prepared. In fact, like in the second reading, this reading calls us to “stay awake,” speaking of spiritual vigilance as opposed to laziness in our walk as disciples of Christ. Thus, this passage is fitting for the beginning of Advent because it is a call to prepare for the coming of Christ. In fact, the very word Advent means “coming.” As we’ve seen, this can refer both to preparation to celebrate Christ’s first coming at Christmas, along with preparation for His Second Coming.

The story of Noah is brought up to illustrate how the majority of people were not preparing for the coming event of the flood. Rather, “they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage.” In other words, they were going about their usual business and not concerning themselves with the things of God, whereas Noah and his family were taking actions to prepare because they had their hearts and minds focused on God. In the example of “two men” or “two women” who were going about their daily tasks at the time of Jesus’ return, the one who is left behind is the righteous one. Like Noah and his family, those who are prepared for the Lord’s coming through living a life of faith will be preserved from judgment, but the wicked who have not followed the Lord will be swept away, like they were at the time of Noah by the flood. Thus, we want to be found faithful so that, like Noah and his family, we will be among those who remain.

This understanding of the passage, which aligns with its full context, is contrary to a popular modern interpretation by some Christians seeing it as a reference to the “rapture.” This belief holds that believers in Christ will be swept away (i.e. raptured) to heaven and the unrighteous will be left behind on earth for a period of tribulation (this theology was expressed in the best-selling Left Behind book and movie series). Catholic theology does not typically use the term “rapture,” nor understand the events associated with the Second Coming of Christ in this way. Rather than being about the “rapture,” we understand this passage within the context given in relation to Noah and the flood. Therefore, to the reverse of some thinking, we want to be “the one [who] will be left” (i.e. the one found faithful to God and prepared), not “the one [who] will be taken” (i.e. the one found unprepared to meet God). Let us, thus, use this season of Advent to focus on the things of God, rather than being caught up in the things of this world, so that we may prepare ourselves for encountering Christ here and now and at His Second Coming.

Application:

  • Reflect on what you can do during Advent to prepare for encountering Christ. Share your ideas with someone who can help you put those ideas into action and keep you accountable.
  • In what areas of your life do you need to “throw off the works of darkness” and let the light of Christ shine in?  What steps will you take this Advent to more fully “walk in the light of the Lord”? Be specific.