Sunday Gospel Comment

 

Alberic Jacovone OSB

Return to Articles and Reflections

YEAR B

Is 40,1-5.9-11; 2 Pet 3,8-14; Mk 1,1-8

Adven(ia)t Regnum Tuum 

Experiencing longing the Bible’s way. The title above is a Latin sentence from the Lord’s prayer "Our Father", it means: ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ and it contains the word "ADVENT = adven(ia)t. Advent is not just a period of four weeks when we prepare for Christmas with cards and presents and decorations and blessings and prayers...and thus we celebrate the 2002nd birthday of Our Lord. The very word "Advent" (=Come!) expresses a feeling of emptiness and a longing for fulfilment. While it is highlighted during the time of Christmas preparation, it is a unique experience which is felt deeply at all major events of our life. As a matter of fact, every time we pray the ‘Our Father’, we express this longing as we pray the words: ‘Thy Kingdom Come!’. With this longing we mean to precipitate if that were possible, the coming of the Lord’s Kingdom, a kingdom of integrity & justice, of serenity and peace. Today’s first Reading from Isaiah 11,1-10 expresses this same longing: Yes, Lord: come to us, and may your kingdom be realized in our lives, as you call us to integrity and justice, fidelity and harmony -both with nature and with people of all races. These last days, as some of our people have experienced the devouring bush fires so close to their homes; and these last weeks and months, as we live under the constant threat of terrorism and even of a war with Iraq, the longing that the Lord may come to bring wisdom and all the other gifts of the Holy Spirit, should be a powerful prayer on the lips of everyone. Yes, Lord, You judge us with integrity, equity and faithfulness: under you even the most ferocious forces -like ferocious animals- can be made to live and work together in peace and harmony.

Experiencing the Lord’s coming: Early Christian writers have described the Lord’s coming as a three-fold event: as he has already come, is coming and will come. Jesus came to us as a Saviour the first time when he was born in the flesh; the second time, he comes to us throughout our life in many special occasions especially through the Sacraments; and his third and final coming will be on judgment day, at the end of our life and even the end of time. If we want Christ’s coming to heal and strengthen us, we must prepare for it, taking to heart the exhortation of the Bible: ‘You must be ready, for the Lord will come at an hour you do not expect’. Our experience of the Lord’s coming depends on whether we live in such a way as to make him eager to come to us. If we love him we need have no fear. He will surely come and make his home with us. The strongest warning is always related to the Lord’s third coming: there is no doubt that this coming will take place... How blessed are those who can confidently say: ‘My heart is ready o God, my heart is ready! Having gathered an abundance of God’s blessings from the Lord’s first coming at Bethlehem, let us continue to gather a harvest of salvation from the many encounters with our Lord during our life-time. For the first coming opens the way for the second, and the second prepares for the third. Lowly and unspectacular, Our Lord came to us the first time; secret and gentle is his coming to us throughout our life; open and final will be his last Coming in glory. In his great mercy, may the Lord treat us then, not as our evil deeds deserve, but according to his infinite love. We know that Christ our Lord will come to us as a Judge, but still we are full of confidence: since he has come to us as a Saviour and we have accepted him as our Way, Truth & Life; and right now we are preparing to welcome him with love on Christmas Day 2002.

______________________________________