• thirty sixth  sunday in ordinary times

   

  FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

  

  All of us have experienced pessimistic moments.

  • Sometimes we experience pessimism because no matter what we do we can't seem to avoid suffering; painful things just keep happening to us and those we love.
  • Sometimes we experience discouragement because we can't seem to avoid sin; we just keep falling into the same patterns of greed, lust, impatience, and laziness.
  • Sometimes we experience cynicism when we look at society and see so much that is wrong, so much injustice, degradation, and violence.

  
  Today, as we start the Second week of Advent, God has something to say about pessimism, discouragement, and cynicism.
  
  He is saying: pessimism, discouragement, and cynicism will all come knocking at your door, but don't let them in!
  
  Do not let yourself be afraid, because I am your Lord and Savior, and I have not forgotten about you!
  
  This is the message:

  • of the Gospel, where we hear St John the Baptist's voice ring out with hope in the wilderness of pessimism: the Lord is coming!
  • of Isaiah, who preaches comfort to God's sinful people, reminding them that he is like a shepherd who gathers the lambs of his flock (us) in his arms.
  • of the Second Reading: even if it seems that God is absent, has forgotten about us, or is powerless to help us, we know that he is simply waiting for the right moment to send in his grace.
  • for God, a thousand years are like a day, St Peter reminds us, and a day is like a thousand years; what seems like a long wait for us is in reality just the blink of an eye.

  
  Advent is our yearly reminder that God has not forgotten about us, no matter how we may feel. He never stops thinking of us, and he is leading us with care to our everlasting reward.
  
  In the Christ who we share, Fr. John J Gordon, O.M.I