Jesus has come. He has given his life for our life, saving us from eternal alienation from God. When he returned to the Father, he said he will come again for his followers. Are we waiting with expectant longing, remaining one with him? Or when he comes will he find us unprepared? No excuse will suffice. So while there is time in the present moment, let us be attentive to his coming with true expectancy and a life worthy of our call. 

Homily Second Sunday of Advent Year C

Reading 1: Baruch is in exile with the people of Israel. He sees the misery and hers the cries of mourning by the people in a foreign environment. The word of God comes to him to speak to the people. It is a word of hope and expectant joy. “Take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God.” They must begin to do the work of the Lord by keeping once more his commandments.

For God is about to do something glorious for them. They and all the displaced exiles will be returned to Jerusalem. Even though they were led away in shame and guilt, they will be led back by God in glory and rejoicing. As God led their ancestors from their bondage in Egypt centuries earlier, so God will go before them once more. It is out of his mercy for their misery that God choices to do this.

Baruch’s words are a call to hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise before it happens. They were to watch for this great work of God.

While the people of that time looked for their restoration back to Jerusalem, the Church in Advent looks to the greater event, the coming of the Messiah which has already occurred and to his second coming that is in the future. Like the Chosen People in exile, our attitude is to be one of hope and joy.

Gospel:  The prophet Baruch spoke a word of joy and expectant hope to the people of his day. John the Baptizer gives us the reason for our hope and joy in this season of Advent. He gives us the reason from growing in love and being pleasing to God.  We are called to prepare in a new way, in this present moment for the present coming of Jesus into our lives.  We are called to repent so that we may see the salvation of God.

He was speaking to the people of his day, for the Messiah had come. He was preparing the people to receive and accept him through repentance and openness, symbolized by being baptized in the waters of the Jordan.

John’s words are applicable to us today. We have been regenerated in the waters of baptism, yet we need to prepare ourselves for the present coming of Jesus, as well as his future coming. The people of John’s day struggled to recognize and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. We too can miss his presence in the present moment and get caught up with the busyness of daily life that we fail to see, welcome and accept Jesus as the Lord and Savior of our lives.

Christmas is not just celebrating a past event, but making that moment a present reality here and now in our life. We are called to be attuned to the present coming of Jesus with the eyes and heart of faith and love. For if we recognize, accept and embrace him in the present moment by living a life in relationship to him consciously and intentionally, then we will be able to embrace him in his second coming.

Reading 2 Paul reminded the people in Philippi that “the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus”. He was referring to Jesus’ second coming in glory. Last Sunday the prayer of Paul was for people to abound in love for one another and continue to please God. Today, he returns to the theme of love.  He said: “that may your love increase ever more and more in knowledge so as to discern what is of value, and to grow in holiness.” This is the way to give glory to God and lead others to God.

One of the ways we can express our love for God and for others this Advent is to ask God for the name of a person that you could invite to come with you to Mass on Christmas.  Then pray for that person to be receptive to your invitation of love. Invite that person. If there is some openness, call them before Christmas to reaffirm your invite. Pick them up and share with them Eucharist on Christmas.

What a strange request! But what is behind that request? Sometimes even though we confess our sins and receive absolution, we still wonder if God has really forgiven us. We don’t have that faith assurance that when Jesus forgives us he really does. This Christmas the gift that would truly please Jesus would be this gift. How can he be the Lord of our life if we don’t trust his word. Your sins are forgiven means exactly that. We will always remember our sins, but the conviction of his words of forgiveness should be stronger than our memory of sins. Our focus needs to be on his love and mercy in gratitude not on our faults and failures. 

"Take God for your bridegroom and friend, and walk with him continually; and you will not sin and will learn to love, and all you must do will work out prosperously for you.” (Jacques Philippe)

The closer we remain with God as a friend and lover, we will choose not to sin in a way that will separate us from him. Why? Our love for God will be stronger than our need to satisfy ourselves first. We will find our fulfillment in God. Then, no matter what happens in our life--good or bad--,we will bear the fruit of our relationship with God in all circumstances. What will that fruit be? A true inner peace amidst the turmoil around us. That is why Jesus reminds us: "Remain in me and I in you in love, and the Father and I will make our dwelling in you." Make God your hiding place and  your refuge.

During the first week one candle is left burning during the evening meal and at prayers.

“My Jesus, it is truly easy to become holy; it just takes a little good will! And if He finds this minimum of good will in a soul, He quickly gives Himself to her. And nothing can stop Him, neither our faults nor our falls, absolutely nothing. Jesus hurries to help that soul; and if the soul is faithful to this grace from God, she can in a short time reach the highest level of holiness that a created being can attain here below. God is very generous and does not refuse His grace to anyone. He gives even more than we ask for. The shortest road is faithfulness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit.” St Faustina

The Holy Spirit has been poured out upon us to sanctify us, to bring us into a fuller intimacy of relationship with God. He gives us nuggets of inspirations, moments of grace, which will help us in our journey to holiness. These inspirations are the still voice of God guiding us to ways that will deepen our oneness with God. It may be the grace to express love in service for someone. It may be the grace of deeper repentance for our sins. It may be the grace to come aside and be still so that the Lord can speak a word to us in the Scriptures. While these inspirations are given for our spiritual benefit, there are many other inspirations and distractions that are not of God. These seek to jam our antennas so that we do not pay attention the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. The more we can distinguish between the two and choose to be faithful to those of the Holy Spirit, the more fruitful our life will be in relationship to God. 

Thanksgiving Day Blessing Service
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Leader: Let us glorify the Lord who fills us with his bounty. Blessed be God for ever.

All: Blessed be God for ever.

Leader: We gather today to give thanks to God for his gifts to this land and its people, for God has been generous to us. As we ask God’s blessing upon the food we will share with our families, may we be mindful of those in need.

Reader: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always on your account for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, that in him you were enriched in every way, with all discourse and all knowledge, as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus [Christ]. God is faithful, and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. The Word of the Lord.
Leader: We thank you, Lord.

All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, For you have heard the words of my mouth;
In the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name.

All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me.

All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
when they hear the words of your mouth;
and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord: "Great is the glory of the Lord."

All: We thank you, Lord.

Leader: Let us take a few minutes to voice our personal gratitude to God for specific blessings.  (Pause)

Leader: In gratitude let us pray to our loving Father as Jesus taught us:

All: Our Father…

Leader: God most provident, we join all creation in raising to you a hymn of thanksgiving through Jesus Christ, your Son. For generation upon generation peoples of this land have sung of your bounty we too offer you praise for the rich harvest we have received at your hands. Bless us and this food which we share with grateful hearts. Continue to make our land fruitful and let our love for you be seen in our pursuit of peace and justice and in our generous response to those in need. Praise and glory to you, Lord God, now and forever!

All: Amen