Advent
1C—Nov. 30, 2003
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Deacon Lee Hunt (St. Monica)
Don’t Be Trapped!
For the past few years my wife and I have been trying to convince our
four 30-something children that we want to minimize material gifts at
Christmas.
• A couple years ago, we suggested that
they make donations to a charity. This was met with such resistance
that we temporarily put the
idea on the back burner.
• The next year, I suggested that if they had to give me something material,
that I’d prefer books. One daughter told me that this was a very lame
idea. However, I did get some good Catholic books to read.
• Then we stressed that we did not need new “stuff” because we were
trying to simplify our lives. This was partially successful because we
got two gift certificates to restaurants. It took us 10 months to use
them.
• Earlier this month, I e-mailed them more than they wanted to know
about the poor: how many there are and the gospel demand to care for
them. Something changed!
o One daughter said she would help
support the food pantry in a nearby parish.
o Another daughter said that she and her husband want to help the
Peruvian family who my wife and I support.
o And our son asked about going with me to Peru next summer.
Finally, our family is headed
in a better direction, as we try to increase our spiritual journey
while decreasing the secular one. It’s difficult to find the right
balance.
This first Sunday of Advent brings us the Good News of the returning of
the Son of Man at the end of human history. This gospel
also warns against this day catching us by surprise like a trap.
These traps have one thing in common, and that is luring us away from
the core of our existence. They want to trap us in something that is
superficial or in opposition to justice and the kingdom of God. The
biggest trap of this season is when we think of the “stuff” that we
covet and how we scheme to get it this Christmas.
Our spiritual journey and our secular journey run on two competing
tracks during the Advent season that leads up to Christmas Day. The
secular track leads to “Santa Claus;” the spiritual track to the birth
of the Son of God.
One measure, of the main track that we choose to travel, is the amount
of time we spend preparing for each event.
Which track will we be on this Advent? The trains leave the station
today so we must make up our mind now. Will we be predominantly on the
spiritual train or the secular train?
If our main train is the spiritual one, we will be spending the major portion of our time preparing for the coming of Jesus,
while also finding a balance in giving gifts to our family and friends
to show them how much we love them.
If our predominant train is
the secular one, we will be spending
more time buying and wrapping presents. If this is our choice,
we are wise to consider the warnings in the Gospel today:
• “Beware that your hearts not become
drowsy…and that the day catch you by surprise.”
• And, “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to
escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son
of Man.”
If Jesus comes again during
this Advent season, will we be caught praying or shopping? Will we be
found teaching others about Christ or will we be standing impatiently
in line at the mall?
Jesus is coming again, which
will be at the end of human history, as we know it. In my opinion, his
second coming is a long way off. But, don’t take my word for it—I could
be wrong.
The Gospel tells us to prepare for the final coming of Jesus at the end
of time.
• Luke warns us that we’ll be in trouble if we live in sin and suddenly
the world ends
• We must also be prepared to
meet Jesus in case our life unexpectedly ends, as was the case for
people who drove off the I-40 bridge, or some who were in the Murrah
building, or other who were in the Trade Towers.
Advent is a season to restart our lives, to come to a conversion of
heart as we prepare to stand before the Son of Man.
This is the first day of Advent and the trains are pulling out of the
station. What is the major train on which you will be traveling?