True Dignity in Life and Death
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The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the Church’s joyful anticipation of the birth of the Christ Child. As we await this blessed celebration, our readings remind us that the little Child in the manger is destined to be Lord and King. The prophet Isaiah speaks of the Most High Lord who will come to judge between the nations, while the Evangelists urge us to “awake from sleep… For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus also warns His disciples to be prepared for “the coming of the Son of Man” in a passage which is often misunderstood. The idea of a “Rapture” in which true believers are whisked away to heaven while the rest are left behind to face a time of tribulation has taken root in modern culture, leading to the popularity of the “Left Behind” stories and movies. But this popular interpretation does not reflect a Catholic understanding of the Gospel message.
In the Biblical flood, Noah and his family were the ones “left behind” to build a new world in harmony with God’s laws, while those who rejected God’s commandments were swept away. Jesus is telling His disciples that now is the time to start building the ark of obedience. Knowing that many will ignore His warning but desiring all to be saved, Jesus warns His followers to be prepared even though they do not know the day He will come, just as Noah started building the ark in dry weather.
Jesus does not want us to fearful, but to be faithful. Be prepared to listen to His voice, following His commandments which will keep us safe even from the flood waters, so that we might enter into His Kingdom of peace. Let us prepare our hearts for the coming of the little Child who is also the King of heaven and earth.
Readings for the First Sunday of Advent:
Is 2:1-5 - Rom 13:11-14 - Mt 24:37-44
Born and raised in a faithful Catholic family, I wandered far from my faith for nearly two decades. Through the infinite mercy of Christ and His Church, I found my way back home to the Catholic Church in the early 90s, and began a path of rediscovery of the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith, eventually earning a Bachelor's degree in Christian Tradition. A stay-at-home Mom for many years, my Church ministries grew to include teaching Catechism and First Eucharist classes, writing and facilitating retreats for healing after abortion, and becoming active in pro-life work with our local 40 Days for Life campaign in the Tri-Cities, Washington as an organizer, participant, speaker, and writer. My desire to share the greatest gift of my life, Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and His Divine Mercy, has found expression in my writing. My articles have been published locally in the Tri-City Herald's Spiritual Life and editorial columns; in the Carmelite Digest; Celebrate Life magazine; and recently in the National Catholic Register.
Links to these articles and more can be found on my blog at http://www.catholicethics.blogspot.com/. My Catholic Ethics page is on Facebook at:https://www.facebook.com/CatholicEthics.
