Reflection for First Sunday of Advent - Year A

12-01-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. Julius Kundi

It is Advent Season! In the next four weeks we look forward, waiting in hope. We try within these weeks to understand what actually to wait and hope for.

To get the meaning of this season correctly, we must ask these relevant and important questions: what are we preparing for? What are we looking or hoping for? Are we looking for a miracle? If we are waiting for Christ to be born, Christ was already born more than two thousand years ago. He is our Savior and our brother too. If we are waiting for the Holy Spirit to dwell among us, He is already in us but we do not recognize His presence and role in our lives. If we are waiting for the Church to be born, the Church is already in our midst. If we are waiting for the faith, God gives everything to us. What are we waiting for then?

The Advent readings invite us to live as children of the light. Waiting and hoping for that Kingdom of light which Jesus promised all believers shall inherit when He will come in glory at the end of time. It is a season to develop an attitude of waiting which is in line with the chosen ones. To think of any model of advent waiting, the scriptures offer to us a key attitude which is one of being alert, being ready, so as not to miss the time of his coming. In His words, Jesus insisted, "You must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

The Advent readings invite us to live as children of the light. That Kingdom light cast upon our words, attitudes, practices, relationships, habits, operating assumptions, and presumptions. This light gives these Advent days the power to heal, and reform us more completely in the Kingdom Vision. Indeed, the season invites us to a subtle, yet powerful form of renewal and repentance which makes us become more responsible and eager to walk in the light of Christ.

Let this Advent be not only a time of waiting and hoping, but above all, of renewing our trust in God’s merciful love and care, and of reflecting on the several comings (advents) of Christ into our lives. Have a fruitful Advent and be filled with His GRACE!

Fr. Julius