Today's sermon is offered by The Most Rev. Joseph J. Raffaele, Archbishop of the American Orthodox Catholic Church, who also oversees the Archdiocese of New York.
Today is the First Sunday of Advent. I refer to the Gospel of Luke21:25-33,which is the appointed Gospel of the Mass according to the the traditional one year cycle. (If you are using the three year cycle, your scripture lesson gospel will be Matthew 24:36-44.)
In St.Luke's account, Jesus is telling the disciples to pay attention to the signs and symbols about the Heavens and the Earth. Watch the stars, watch the fig trees,the uneasiness of nations,roaring of the seas etc. Following these various occurrences look to see the Son of Man approaching on a cloud in Triumph and Glory. The kingdom of God is at hand. Our Redemption is assured.
This is the end of the story, it is here for us to get an idea of what the beginning of the story should be. With all these things happening, we need to be ready, be prepared, but not for a Royal Hierarchy with his royal court ready to dish out justice and punishment, but ironically we are getting ourselves prepared for, of all things,a baby...just a baby who is born into such poverty that he has his birthplace in an animal's stall, a cave, a stable...this is what we are supposed to be waiting for?
Israel is waiting for her king. Well, did she miss the boat on this one or what? Israel and all of us await the arrival of a being who will set us free from darkness to the brightness of freedom and light.
Advent is a time where we are called to repentance as we will hear that voice in the wilderness (John the Baptist) proclaim. But more so than repenting, we are called to be ready and prepare. In your parish the priest may wear purple vestments, or the blue vestments, which reflects Advent Preparation. We will see an Advent wreath. Just like one is to observe the signs in the the heavens, watch the advent wreath from week to week - watch the progression from darkness to light as shown through the candles lit on it, and know the Lord Is Near. As Luke's account says: "...when you see these things come to pass,know that the kingdom of God is at hand."
