SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, December 8, 2024

MAY THIS SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT BE A TIME OF PEACE, JOY AND BLESSINGS FOR YOU AND FOR THOSE YOU LOVE!

The season of Advent is a four week time of preparation for the great feast of Christmas when we celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. The customs and traditions that we plan and engage in, although happy and enjoyable, are not culturally and socially based on Christmas, but during advent we are encouraged to remember the different ‘Comings’ of Jesus Christ.

The First Coming took place at Bethlehem about two thousand years ago. It fulfilled an original promise made by God to our ancient forebears (Genesis 3:15) who had sinned and lost their friendship with God. It was a time of darkness and hopelessness for humanity, but God’s promise to send a savior served as a light and hope for sinful humanity. The people sometimes lost their way but God used patriarchs, kings, leaders, judges, and prophets to keep before their minds God’s plan to share eternal happiness with them. The savior’s First Coming fulfilled God’s original promise.

The ‘Second Coming of Jesus is the time between his first and second comings, and for each of us it is our time to prepare for his second coming. It is our time of remembering that we are God’s sons and daughters, a time of freely choosing to follow Jesus Christ, a time to be guided by the prophets and church leaders, a time to draw inspiration from the community of the church, a time to be prompted by church feasts, rituals and seasons (such as Advent), and a time to discover God’s call in our lives and to be encouraged by the example of others. It is our time of preparation for Jesus’ second coming at the end of time.

The ‘Third Coming’ of Jesus Christ will take place at the end of the ages. Jesus will serve as judge and Lord of all creation. For those who have lived as followers of Jesus, it will be a time of celebration, joy and happiness. For those who have not lived as followers of Christ it will be a time of final separation from God, and a time of failure and hopelessness. The choices made by those who have chosen to live without God during their lifetimes will determine their separation from God for all eternity.

This Sunday’s sacred scriptures give us a glimpse of three moments of grace and inspiration that can inspire us. Baruk (5:1-9), a scribe and devoted friend of the prophet Jeremiah, lived during a difficult time (sixth century B.C) offered hope and encouragement to the people saying ‘God will show splendor to every nation, every mountain and valley will be prepared for his coming, so take off your dress of mourning and wrap yourself in the cloak of God’s mercy.’

Today’s gospel (Luke 3: 1-6) highlights the role of John the Baptist in reminding the people to prepare for the second coming. He called for conversion and repentance. He described himself as ‘a voice in the wilderness encouraging the people to be ready to see the salvation of God.’

In the second reading, Paul (Philippians 1: 4-6, 8-11) praises the people for living and spreading their faith and and for trust in Jesus Christ. He said ‘may God continue his good work among you, may strive to be to become pure and holy, and may you be prepared for the day of the Lord.’

APPLICATION: A. In what ways did you find thefirst week of Advent helped you to get more out of your efforts to pray? B. How did your family participate in the first week of advent? C. How do you intent to use this week of Advent to prepare for Christmas personally and with your family? D. Do you have a favorite charity? How do you serve your neighbors? E. Are you or have you participated in one or more of the following Advent activities/events: Sunday Mass, praying as a family, confession, advent wreath in your home, helping someone in need. F. Is there one change/improvement in your spiritual life that you are considering?

[Submitted by Father David O’Connor, EMAIL: doconnor.natchez@gmail.com]

Father David O'Connor 10 Morgantown Road Natchez, MS 39120-2788