First Sunday of Advent - Year C

 

The readings for the First Sunday of Advent - Year C may be found at:  

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120124.cfm

As we gather today on this First Sunday of Advent, 

we begin a new liturgical year

and we enter a season of joyful anticipation,

a season of waiting, preparation and penance.

Four Sundays when we reflect on the themes of

Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.

Today, 

in our Gospel reading from the evangelist Saint Luke, 

Jesus urges us to watch and pray 

as we patiently await his coming again.

On this first Sunday of Advent,

we eagerly await Christmas,

Jesus’ birthday, the day when 

as we say at each Holy Mass in the Nicene Creed,

“He was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, 

and became man”

just a little over three weeks away.

And you’ll see changes in this Church.

Missals.

Decorations.

Vestments of purple or rose, 

instead of the usual green 

that we see in Ordinary Time,

because this is no ordinary time.

In the next few weeks, 

we prepare to celebrate

the most important day in human history,

the moment when God,

the second person of the Trinity,

became fully human -

allowing a direct connection 

between God and us,

Enabling salvation through Jesus’ life,

death and resurrection.

Literally, the most important day in human history.

So how do we wrap our heads around something so huge?

And whether we even really prepare for it at all?

How many of us,

as we prepare for Christmas,

have thought about what really matters?

We probably have our lists prepared.

We have thought about all the plans we have,

and all the things we need to do,

all the gifts we have to buy,

all the delicious goodies we will share,

and what on earth 

we are going to get that person 

who is so difficult to buy for.

All this 

added to everything else we already have going on.

That’s a lot - 

and it we’re not careful, 

all that

can leave barely any room for Jesus.

As I reflected on this, this week,

I couldn’t help but think about Joseph and Mary,

In Bethlehem,

weary, scared, uncertain

having travelled so many hours, 

in harsh and treacherous conditions,

looking for a place to stay, 

just before Jesus was born.

Every place they went,

there was no room for them,

no place for them to stay,

no room at the inn.

As I thought about Advent 

and what I wanted you to take away from this homily,

It was this.

This Advent,

Yes, it’s a busy time.

Yes, there’s a lot to do.

Yes, by the end you will likely also be weary and uncertain,

In fact, you may be that way just thinking about it!

But let us not forget one important thing.

Each one of us is an innkeeper 

who decides if there is room for Jesus.

We decide if there is room for Him in this busy time.

We decide whether to let Him in and

We decide whether to send Him on His way.

It’s a busy time of year 

With lots of Christmas preparation activities vying for our time.

We should absolutely do all those things 

that make Christmas a joyful time of year 

for us and our families,

I mean, we are celebrating the most important day in human history after all.

But let us not forget, 

through all our activities and busyiness,

to make room for Jesus in our hearts.

Reserve a few minutes each day for prayer and reflection.

Make it a point to reach out in charity to those in need.

Join us each Wednesday from 3pm - 7pm for Adoration, 

Evening Prayer, 

Sacred silence and Benediction with Jesus 

Fully present in the Eucharist.

Participate in our Catholic Bible Study with the Chosen,

Wednesday December 4th and 11th at 6:30pm,

when we will focus on the Infancy Narratives 

in the gospels of Saints Matthew and Luke,

Take time to do a proper examination of conscience 

and to make a good sacramental confession.

If the hours of confession are not convenient for you 

and if you don’t know what to get your priest for a Christmas gift, 

You can combine the two.

They would both be thrilled with a size 

“Father, can you please hear my confession?”

It’ll be the best gift they and you receive this Christmas, 

believe me.

As we light the first candle of our Advent wreath, 

let it symbolize our commitment 

to make room for Christ. 

May it give us the grace 

to be vigilant innkeepers, 

always ready to welcome Jesus into our lives.

And may this Advent be a time of joyful preparation, 

as we eagerly await the coming of our Lord.