First Sunday of Advent, Year C Luke 21, 25-28, 34-36

Today’s Luke’s Gospel may seem daunting, filled with warnings of disasters, leaving us paralyzed. Yet, it presents a pressing challenge: how do we prepare to stand before the Son of Man? It may seem out of place as Advent begins, but this Gospel belongs here. We all know Advent signifies the coming of the Son of God, a future event. Preparing for it implies anticipation of something yet to come. However, many people prepare for what is already past, rather than focusing on the future. 

While many view Christmas as a sentimental event that occurred two thousand years ago in Bethlehem, commemorating the birth of Jesus, this perspective falls short. To truly appreciate its significance, we must recognize that the Son of God desires to enter not just human history, but also the life of each individual, making Jesus’ coming to a personal experience., as the Scriptures say, Advent has two distinct themes. From now until December 17th, we’ll reflect on the “second coming of Jesus Christ,” also known as the “coming in glory and power.” Then, from December 17th to Christmas, we’ll focus on the events leading up to it – specifically, the birth of the Son of God as a man in Bethlehem. 

To prepare for the meeting with the Son of Man, who comes as a judge to mark the saved and the punished, necessitates confronting our fear of his judgment. Born as a child, he embodies a non-threatening presence, dispelling the fear that would normally accompany an encounter with a divine judge, for a child inspires no fear.

On the contrary, everyone is looking forward to the birth of a child. We live in a time when many people don’t know what to do with Advent, so it is often solved by filling Advent with shopping and shortening it to as little as possible. In many cities today, they light the Christmas tree, but the tree is a symbol of Christmas, not Advent. That is a confusion and preemption of thought. The symbol of Advent is the wreath, the gradual lighting of the candles on it, and the ​​gradual approach that God draws near to us, and we draw near to God. But it’s also about getting closer to each other. 

The Holy Gospel spoke of disasters. We are afraid when we hear about various earthquakes and natural phenomena and say, “This is terrible.” But there are other disasters, and that is our behavior. Yes, brothers and sisters, our behavior is typically a vast disaster. Why? Because we are not at all kind to each other.

On the contrary, we look for the other person’s faults, point them out, are often not tolerant, and often rejoice when the other person somehow stumbles or fails. We don’t keep our word. We promise something and then calmly break it and say, “Well, it can’t be taken that way.” We promise someone that we will be with them, and then we may leave them.

And these are the brothers and sisters of disaster. In today’s second reading, we heard the apostle Paul’s call to the Thessalonians: “May the Lord increase and multiply your love for one another and everyone.” This is also a motto, as if a call, with which we could fill this year’s Advent. Indeed, let’s try to imagine every specific person, someone from the family or even a stranger, and let’s try to show this person love more than ever. It may be challenging at home, but Showing love to those we know is non-negotiable, but with strangers, there’s a risk they might not notice or reciprocate. Still, that’s beside the point. The focus is not on whether they’ll return the kindness, but on taking the initiative to show love.

 When two young people like each other, it is not enough for them to feel something for each other; they feel affection for each other. They have to tell each other and show that they like each other, and then the relationship grows. And it is the same with God on that level and with other people. Don’t be afraid to show your love to each other. Don’t be afraid that the other person will ask themselves, “What’s he up to? He’s w; she’s exaggerating somehow.” Let’s try to surprise the other. Indeed, let’s choose a specific person and try to surprise this person with love, kindness, and affection. That will then be the true Advent, the preparation for the birth of the Son of God. He will then not only be born in that time but in the heart of each of us. He wants to enter our lives. Not as a judge who will punish and condemn us but wants to enter there as our Savior, our Helper. Let’s show him in this Advent that we long for his help and salvation, that we want to accept him in this way, that we want to make a place for him in our lives, and that we want to show our love to those around us. Let’s try; it’s worth it, and God will surely help us.