Let Us Walk in the Light of the Lord: Reflections on the Readings for the First Sunday of Advent, Cycle A

If you haven’t already read the readings, you can find them here

Isaiah 2:15
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:37-44

. The First Sunday of Advent always marks the beginning of a new liturgical year. “Within the cycle of a year, [Holy Mother Church] unfolds the whole mystery of Christ, from the incarnation and birth until the ascension, the day of Pentecost, and the expectation of blessed hope and of the coming of the Lord.” (Vatican II: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy) Advent sets the stage for the rest of the liturgical year by preparing us for the coming of Christ into mankind and time. As Christ has not yet come, the Gloria is omitted at mass (except for special occasions, such as the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception). It is also a time to reflect upon and prepare ourselves for Christ’s second coming at the end of time.

Advent during Year A could well be called the season of Isaiah as the first reading for all four Sundays are from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. However, this book was estimated to have been written by as many as six different authors and displays changes in writing pattern from segment to segment.

The reading from Isaiah details some of the characteristics of the Messianic era. All nations will be drawn to the Lord’s mountain. This reflects that the Messiah will call all nations and peoples to Himself. It, like Jesus’s message, goes beyond the Jews to the entire world. Just as Jesus tells His disciples at the Ascension to teach the whole world all that He taught (Matthew 28:20), the God of Jacob will instruct everyone in His ways.

In John’s gospel we read that Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness (John 1:5). Jesus also referred to Himself as “the Light of the World” several times. Matthew referred to Isaiah when he described the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, “the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light” (Matthew 4:16, Isaiah 9:2).

Here Isaiah tells us that following the instruction of the Lord, peace will reign, and judgment shall come. Isaiah therefore calls everyone to “walk in the light of the Lord.”

The responsorial psalm also calls people to the house of the Lord and rejoice. It, too, talks of judgment and peace, as well as the house of David. Again, this appears to point to Jesus, who is the fulfilment of the Old Testament. Recall Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is of the house of David and is the just judge, who has been given authority by the Father. “Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment to his Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” (John 5:22-23)

St. Paul also tells us to “throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Like Isaiah he also tells of the need to follow the Lord’s teaching, conducting oneself properly. As is appropriate for Advent, he admonishes us to wake up for salvation is near. “... it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Paul also tells us, “to put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” As he tells us here and in other letters we must become Christ-like, as we are part of the Body of Christ.

He goes on to say we must “throw off the works of darkness,” by rejecting sinfulness in our own lives (drunkenness and promiscuity) as well as our dealings with others (rivalry and jealousy). In other letters Paul goes into more detail of what will keep us from entering heaven. “Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived, neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor 6:9-10)

Neither is this a new admonition, as the Old Testament repeatedly cited the importance of following the commandments. For example, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 tells us, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (emphasis added)

This of course echoes Jesus’s own admonition to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) In the rush to welcome everyone, which is a good thing, the need for repentance is often overlooked or downplayed. But, if you want to be a follower of Jesus, you have to be willing to change. And even at Christmas we see this: “Of course, the wise men went home by a different route; no one meets Christ and remains the same.” (Bishop Fulton J. Sheen)

In the gospel reading Jesus talks about the end times. People may wonder why, during Advent when we are preparing for the birth of the Lord, we would bring up the end times. That is because Advent is not just about the Virgin Birth, but also about the second coming of Jesus, at the end of time. That is what Jesus means when He speaks of “the coming of the Son of Man.” This is also why the readings for this Sunday repeatedly mention judgment, for that will take place at the end times.

We should also remind ourselves about the four last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. While these are important for our individual deaths (only individuals can be saved), they also apply to the final judgment. “He will make room for every act of mercy; everyone will receive in accordance with his deeds.” (Sirach 16:14)

Jesus also repeats His oft-stated admonition to stay awake, in other words, be prepared. “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)

One of the old Latin phrases is, “Memento Mori,” remember death. The lesson here is to be prepared always as we do not know the time when our name will be called to judgment. The catch phrase should then be, “Death, are you ready?” (Which, by the way, was the shortest homily I have ever heard, and was very effective.)

“Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12)

“Never will we understand the value of time better than when our last hour is at hand.” St. Arnold Janssen