Scripture: Luke 21:25-36 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness, and the worries of this life and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and stand before the Son of Man.”
Reflection: We begin this Advent season as a Christian community celebrating the first coming of Christ as a child in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago while at the same time expectantly preparing for and awaiting the second coming of Christ in great glory. We are a people who look back to God’s mighty acts of salvation with thanksgiving and look forward to God’s mighty acts of redemption with faith.
As Christians, we are to distinguish ourselves as people of expectant faith in God’s promises. While many are bent over and weighed down with an oppressive spirit of foreboding, dissipation, and worries over reduced expectations and limiting conditions, Christians are called to a posture of faith. We stand up straight, with raised heads, and walk with faith into God’s good unfolding future. We walk with faith aware, watchful, and attentive to God’s faithfulness toward us and all creation. We see with eyes of faith beyond the brokenness, and tumult that shake our world and discover how God is revealing his salvation, mercy, love, and goodness in our midst.
In the meantime, we are not idle. We express our faith and expectations of God’s good unfolding future in actions that advance what will be the kingdom, which has begun with the coming of the Christ Child. O Come, O Come, Emanuel.
The Path - El Camino 