1st Sunday Advent Year C

Lk 21:25-28. 34-36 [Year C]

[25]"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,

[26] men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

[27] And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

[28] Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

[34]"But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare;

[35] for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth.

[36] But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man."

1. With this gospel passage from Luke, (this is the year of Luke) we start a new liturgical year that will stretch until the Feast of Christ the King next year, 2022. You may have noticed that Advent opens with the same sermon about the end times which we saw two weeks ago. You remember this had three elements, the end of Jerusalem the end of the world and the coming of Christ, the Son of Man. The emphasis now, as we prepare for Christmas, is on the final coming of the Son of Man – and how we should respond. Every year at this time, the Church reminds us that, yes, Jesus is coming, and we must be always ready to welcome him with love.
2. The focus today is on the final coming of the Son of Man. Jesus is applying the text of Dan 7:13-14 to himself. He comes with clouds. These mean the very presence of God. So, when Jesus, through whom the whole of creation was made, gets off his heavenly throne to visit us, it is no surprise that the elements he created, are shook up, sun, moon, stars. This happens in heaven and there is panic on earth ...

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