Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

(Photo courtesy: Jean-Mark Arkalian)

“You too must stand ready because the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”  Matthew 24:37-44

This year, on 01st of December we begin our countdown to Christmas, and we are reminded that this season is not just time to prepare for celebrating Christ’s birth.  Instead, we are pointed to wait in hope and expectation for Christ who is to come.  Gladly, God does not stop surprising us through his Son. 

As Advent starts on Sunday and a new liturgical year, we hasten to begin a fresh new year by waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ, who will manifest himself to us just like us taking the form of a human person. 

Even though we do not know the day or the hour, we are told we must stand ready and waiting, so that we are not caught unprepared.  

With this beginning of the Season of Advent – a beautiful season when we prepare ourselves to celebrate the coming of Christ at Christmas, our hearts should be full of positive expectations.  But we also need to prepare ourselves, really question ourselves, about whether we’re ready for the coming of Christ in Judgement at the end of the world.  

Over the next few weeks, our readings will focus on the longings of the people of Israel for the coming of the Messiah through our readings from the prophet Isaiah and the Gospel readings surrounding the birth of Jesus. A number of readings, like this weekend’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew, are the stories which Jesus tells about the end of the world.

The liturgy of Advent is a school in which we learn to listen and to wait with expectation and with hope.

§ We learn that God encounters human history and sanctifies it by His life, death and resurrection.  So time, history has a meaning and our life is significant in God's plan.

§ God does not abandon us or our world but continues to live in it with patience with great simplicity and sobriety. Thus calling us to a new life of the Kingdom where joy of peace, truth and justice are possible.

§ Advent allows us to enter into the deeper meaning of the reality of life, suffering, despair, pain, loneliness, powerlessness and so on and so forth. All these find their fullest expression when we realise that our Saviour is with us "Emmanuel". God never lets us down.

§ With its incredible power of hope, Advent opens ourselves to greater and newer possibilities. By renewing our life in the Holy Spirit, the Lord remains in our time and for all time, thus assisting us in carrying the message of our Saviour to our brothers, sisters and creation.  In other words, God comes to us in our misery and need, in truth and love, thus the second person of the Trinity should become man to the humanity.

§ Among the graces of Advent is openness and humility. These give us the freedom to learn how we can best serve, "our Lord who has become man, for me." (Sp. Ex. §104)  

A few things might help us in this Advent Season:

± We can show this readiness to welcome Christ in how we welcome others.  

± By reaching out to our sisters and brothers when they are in need. 

± By standing alongside them and working with them to build a better future.  

± By supporting those who are vulnerable because of their age, illness or poverty. 

± And by ensuring that all people feel valued, respected, safe and loved.

Eternal God,

you will come when we do not expect you.  

Help us to welcome you now in one another,  

to reach out to our sisters and brothers,

who are in need of care and support.

And in this way may we be found ready,

when you come again in glory.  

O Wisdom, Lord and Ruler, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Rising Sun, King of the Nations, Emmanuel, Come, Lord Jesus.

Amen.

A happy Advent to you!

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

01 December 2019