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First Sunday in Advent [B]

By: John Bucki, S.J.

Readings
Isaiah 63:16b-17,19b; 64:2-7
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:33-37

Calendar
December 1: World AIDS Day
December 2: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
December 3: International Day for People with a Disability

Quotes
We wish to listen to one other: we believe that this itself is already a sign of peace. In listening to one another there is already a reply to the disturbing questions that worry us. This already serves to scatter the shadows of suspicion and misunderstanding. The shadows will not be dissipated with weapons; darkness is dispelled by sending out bright beams of light.
John Paul II, Assisi, 24 January 2002

Our nation has been blessed with great freedom, vibrant democratic traditions, unprecedented economic strengths, abundant natural resources, and a generous and religious people. Yet not all is right with our nation. Our prosperity does not reach far enough. Our culture does not lift us up; instead it may bring us down in moral terms. This new world we lead is still too dangerous, giving rise to ethnic cleansing and an inability to confront hunger and genocide. We are still falling short of the American pledge of "liberty and justice for all," our declaration to defend the inalienable rights of the person--"life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
U.S. Bishops, Faithful Citizenship: Civic Responsibility for a New Millennium

But it will be necessary above all to abandon a mentality in which the poor í¢â‚¬" as individuals and as peoples í¢â‚¬" are considered a burden, as irksome intruders trying to consume what others have produced. The poor ask for the right to share in enjoying material goods and to make good use of their capacity for work, thus creating a world that is more just and prosperous for all. The advancement of the poor constitutes a great opportunity for the moral, cultural and even economic growth of all humanity.
John Paul II, Centesimus Annus

A person who is concerned solely or primarily with possessing and enjoying, who is no longer able to control his instincts and passions, or to subordinate them by obedience to the truth, cannot be free.
John Paul II, Centesimus Annus

In order to overcome today's widespread individualistic mentality, what is required is a concrete commitment to solidarity and charity.
John Paul II, Centesimus Annus

Too many people live, not in the prosperity of the Western world, but in the poverty of the developing countries amid conditions which are still "a yoke little better than that of slavery itself."
John Paul II, Centesimus Annus

Thoughts for Your Consideration

The advent message today is very simple. "Be watchful and alert."

God and the goodness of God are available.

All we have to do is be alert and watch and not miss it.

Unfortunately, parts of our world are not watchful or alert and we miss God and the goodness of God. As individuals or as a society, we wander away from God and God's values. The question is: "why?"

Today might be a good time to reflect on those things in our society and culture that keep us from being alert and alive to God and God's values. There seem to be so many pressures and values which indoctrinate us and keep us from being what God wants us to be. So many ways of thinking and seeing are in tension with the values of Catholic Social Teaching. We need to be aware of them so that we can be truly free and alert.

As we look at our culture, we might way to reflect on:

  • The individualistic mentality that keeps us from solidarity and charity
  • The temptation to rely on power and even violence instead of active nonviolence
  • The tendency to accumulate wealth instead of sharing material resources
  • The practice of judging things from the limited view of our culture alone
  • The lack of a seamless, all-inclusive respect for life
  • The excessive power of the media which limits our vision
  • The lack of direct contact with those who are in need or different than ourselves.

The list could go on and on. The challenge is to open our eyes and be alert and aware, so that we can know the biases of our culture, make this list concrete, and begin to see things from a bigger viewpoint.

In the face of all the challenges, we are invited to have hope. The second reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us to rejoice in the spirit of Jesus who will help and set us free.

Questions for Reflection in your Faith Sharing Group
What things in our culture keep you from being watchful or alert?
What are the things or values that keep you from the spirit of God?

Actions - Links
World Aids Day is December 1.

Prayer - Meditation
Prayer for Advent, 2005: Hope in a Dark Time
(A Featured Prayer at Education for Justice http://www.coc.org/ej/)

In this time of darkness,
We choose to look toward the Light.
In this time when so many are suffering,
We choose faith, not despair,
We choose the work of compassionate justice.

As we move together,
Hungry for transformation, for hope,
Our steps themselves
Transform us, nourish us.
We are on constant pilgrimage,
Moving to the heart of things,
Reaching beyond what any one of us
Can accomplish ourselves.

The brightness of the Incarnation
Guides us as we continue,
With the promise of the Prince of Peace
As the bright star in these dark nights.

* * *
An Advent Prayer

God, Christmas is coming and I thought that I should send you a list of things that I want this year. I'm sending it early, so that you will have enough time to do the shopping. I know that I should not confuse you with Santa Claus; however, I think I might need some of the following:
1. A place to go to get away from all the ads.
2. A day of silence to just be with the mystery of incarnation.
3. A chance to be of service to the poor.
4. A little more time to be with my family and friends.
5. Some time to meditate on the fact that Jesus was born poor.

Type of content: Lectionary Reflections