Spiritual Corner - The First Day of Advent

Today is the first day of Advent, it is also the beginning of the liturgical year. We must have new expectations for the new beginning. There are double aspects of Advent: firstly, it is to prepare for Christmas - in memory of Christ’s coming for the first time in our midst; secondly, with this remembrance, we prepare our mind and heart for the second coming of Christ on judgement day. Thus, Advent is a period of devout and joyful expectations.

Today’s Gospel says, “Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left; two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.” Would this warning be of any help to our generation? We are cautioned against cigarettes and Aids, but there are always people who would take chances, thinking that they would not be the one in trouble. People these days tend to accept active encouragement more readily. The coming of Christ, whether it refers to his coming in the past, or his very presence today, or his coming in the future, can help us to well live our present life. Who would not want God’s salvation, God’s strength? The preparation for Advent will help us not to miss God’s blessings.

The Second Reading has initiated a beautiful story. Saint Augustine in his “Confessions” mentioned one of his peculiar experiences: One day, he heard a voice saying to him, “Take it and read”. At first, he did not know what it meant, then he saw a bible on the table, so he took it and read, incidentally, it was today’s Second Reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans: “It is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” God’s grace cleared up his mind and made him understand all the things that he had cared for in his past life were temporary and could be easily lost. He suddenly realized the importance of Christ. It was only with Christ that he could have the power to equip himself to abandon the activities in the dark. Augustine’s change began from his response to the call to take up the bible to read. Reading the bible awakened him from his sleep, and he found that God was not just a dispensable ornament in life. Only God could satisfy his inner desires.

If we await Christmas just for a long holiday rather than for the arrival of God’s kingdom, then our faith is not solid. Let us follow Saint Augustine’s example, make our relationship with Christ be ablaze through the reading of the Bible. God will always love and bless those who read the Word. Conceptually, we know that many moral actions should be practiced, such as “not to commit adultery, not to fight against or envy other people, not to care only about human issues in order to satisfy personal desires”, yet we often fail to follow. God’s Word sanctify us, grant us strength, help us to recognize our weaknesses and turn to rely on Christ, and have a sincere expectation for His coming. Starting from the first Sunday of Advent, read God’s Word everyday, allow sufficient time for the Word of God to reside deep down in our hearts. It, thus, will guarantee you an unexpected harvest for this Advent.

Yours,
Fr. Philip Tan