Advent is the time when we can look back to the first coming of Christ, the Incarnate Word (Jn. 1:14). At Christmas, through the Blessed Mother, the child Jesus came to live among us. It’s also a time to look forward to His “second Coming”, to reveal everything about His Kingdom. The first coming is an eternal gift that is still given every time we allow Jesus to be born in our HEARTS. Christmas is the time to prepare our hearts, by purifying our hearts from anything that prevents us from receiving Jesus’ 1st Coming. Advent therefore becomes that joyful anticipation of His Coming (Christmas).
In the second Coming, we are also anticipating the perfect encounter with God, His LOVE; Jesus Christ our savior, who conquers all fear because His reign of LOVE is finally here. St. Paul in the 2nd reading presents some tips to prepare for this coming, “making our hearts holy and blameless before our God.”; to conduct ourselves in the way that is pleasing to Him. In short, it is a call to build up our “inner life” with our hearts set to God the Father, and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in His Glory.
Jesus speaks about His 2nd coming in the cloud with great power and glory. The Son of Man is Coming, the Gospel tells us to “stay awake,” be vigilant, and be prepared. That is what Advent is all about, “the coming” of God in His glory. For this reason we must be prepared for the Day of His Coming when all will be fulfilled. How do we prepare? As we await Christ’s 2nd coming, let us stay awake and pray, let us love one another and observe His laws and decrees, the greatest of which is LOVE…
Advent is an invitation to always be on guard and alert, to be attentive, and to keep listening to the many ways God presents Himself; in creation, in relationships, in everyday life, and other human activities. Jesus is present in the 1) Unfolding of our day, 2) All the people that we meet, 3) In the Sacred Scriptures, 4) And in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
This Advent let’s have moments with God that alert our heart’s experience to His presence; moments of grace to experience His love for us every day (especially during this season of Advent), to really feel His presence in the Holy Eucharist, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and in every Word in the Sacred Scriptures. Finally, if we take Advent preparation in good faith and prepare our hearts, there is no reason to fear the 2nd Coming, because our hearts are full and ready in JOYFUL HOPE.
Be in God,
Fr. Bing