Advent, 1st Sunday, Year A (2004)
24/11/07 20:34
Advent 1-A (2004)
Anyone here ever heard of Psalm 23? It’s a very popular psalm, often used at funerals. It goes like this: “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.” Recently, I came across a new, updated version of Psalm 23. It goes like this: “Coffee is my shepherd, I shall not sleep!”
I brought with me this morning my coffee mug. [Show huge coffee mug] As you can see, it takes a lot of coffee in the morning to wake me up! I remember once, in college, falling asleep in the middle of a lecture. I woke up just in time to see the professor tossing an eraser through the air, heading right toward my head. He screamed out, “Nobody falls asleep in my class!” Fortunately for me, the eraser hit the guy in the row behind me, who also was asleep!
On your handout today, it says, “Caffeinated Christianity.” Today, we begin the season of Advent, which is the start of a new church year. It’s time when we start to prefer for the celebration of Christmas and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s also a time to wake up spiritually, and when we reinvigorate our faith – following Jesus with “caffeine,” so to speak.
Advent is an adventure and a journey. Over Thanksgiving, I went to the I-Max Theater in Cathedral City to see, in 3-D, the new Tom Hanks movie, “Polar Express.” It really is intriguing, especially in 3-D. It is the story of a little boy who doubts the existence of Santa Claus and the North Pole, until the Polar Express train stops in front of his house and takes him on a journey and an adventure to visit the North Pole and Santa Claus. For us Christians, our Advent journey is even more thrilling and exciting than the Polar Express, because we are on a journey and an adventure to see – not Santa Claus – but Jesus Christ, the messiah and savior of the world.
The four candles on our Advent wreath symbolize the four comings of Jesus. First was at the creation of the world. In the first chapter of John’s gospel, we hear, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, and all was created through Him.” The Word is Jesus, who the Bible tells us that Jesus – the Word -- was present at the very start of creation! The second candle reminds us of Jesus’ birth into the world on Christmas Day – Emmanuel, God-with-Us. The third candle represents Christ’s birth in each of us, in each of our hearts and lives, when we invite Him to live in us and to establish a living and personal relationship with us. The final candle symbolizes Jesus’ Second Coming at the end of time.
Today, our readings ask us to be awake and alert. Lots of people in our society are asleep spiritually. A few years ago, I came across a humorous story about an elderly couple who lived in Indiana but were planning a vacation trip to Florida. The woman was unable to travel to Florida on the anticipated day, because of an unexpected emergency at home, so she sent her husband on to Florida alone and promised to join up with him in two days. Her husband, once he arrived in Florida, decided to send an e-mail to his wife in Indiana, but he accidentally mistyped the e-mail address and sent his message to a lady in Ohio, whose husband had just died a few days before. The e-mail said, “Honey, I really miss you. It is very warm here, but all is well. The good news is that you will be joining me here in a few more days. Love, your husband.” The point of this humorous tale: Stay awake! We want to make sure we are headed in the right direction spiritually – up, not down!
In our readings today, St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans: “You know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So don't live in darkness.” -- Romans 13:11-12 (NLT) And Jesus tells us in today’s gospel: “You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected.” -- Matthew 24:44 (NLT)
Our readings tell us to be alert and awake and ready – but not to be afraid. Our going to be with Christ should be a joyful anticipation, like a small child waiting for Santa to drop off gifts at the house. The prophet Isaiah, in our first reading today, offers us a wonderful vision of heaven: “This is another vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: [2] In the last days, the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem will become the most important place on earth. People from all over the world will go there to worship. [3] Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the Temple of the God of Israel. There he will teach us his ways, so that we may obey him." For in those days the Lord's teaching and his word will go out from Jerusalem. [4] The Lord will settle international disputes. All the nations will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. All wars will stop, and military training will come to an end. [5] Come, people of Israel, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” -- Isaiah 2:1-5 (NLT)
We’re going to look quickly today at six obstacles – six strategies that Satan uses – to rob us of our joy and to keep us asleep spiritually. In your mind, decide which of these is the biggest personal obstacle that the devil uses on you:
Obstacle #1: Fear. We live in a culture of fear. A few weeks back, you may remember that we watched a clip on gun violence and fear from the movie, “Bowling for Colombine.” Experts say that there are more than 600 different phobias, or fears, that afflict people – fear of heights, fear of tight spaces, fear of sermons (just kidding!). What are the fears that enslave you? It might be the fear of a divorce, or of a sickness, or for the safety of your kids, or that you will have enough money on hand this month to pay all the bills. The Bible tells us: “Love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us.” – 1 John 4:18 (NLT)
Obstacle #2: Laziness and apathy. Our gospel reading today tells us this was the mistake made by the people during the time of Noah. "When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. [38] In those days before the Flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. [39] People didn't realize what was going to happen until the Flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. [40] "Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left.” -- Matthew 24:37-40 (NLT) Lots of people are “mañana” people and procrastinators. All of us get lazy at times! A story is told of a woman who tried to wake her son on Sunday morning to go to Mass. “Go away!” the son pleaded. “I’m tired and need my sleep.” But the mother persisted. The son replied a second time, “Go away! Let me sleep! Let me miss, just this once.” But the mother persisted. Finally, the son asked his mom, “Give me one good reason why I should go to Mass this morning.” She replied, “Because you are the pastor!” Even us priests get lazy and complacent, sometimes!
Obstacle #3: Distractions. Let me illustrate this by asking one of our children to come forward and help me. I have with me a bag. Please pull out something from the bag. What is it? [bring a bag full of remote controls] How many own one of these? All of us! What else is in my bag? Another remote control! What else? Another… and another! These are just from my house! We’ve become a lazy and distracted nation in many ways, distracted by TV, distracted by advertisers. Sort of by default, God falls into second or third or tenth place in our lives – not by conscious choice usually, but just because we get distracted and busy and preoccupied with other things. Many people know the names of the soap operas and their other favorite television shows, more than they know the names and the content of the four gospels and other parts of the Bible! But how sad that is!
Obstacle #4: Negativity. So much war and violence and bad news on TV and radio. It is easy to grow despondent, cynical. Satan uses negativity to discourage us and others. There is a saying: “A sad Christian is a sad excuse for a Christian.” As Christians, we need to be full of life and joy and zeal – caffeinated Christians. That doesn’t mean we’re not human – that we always are smiling, we’re wearing a happy mask even when we’re sad, we don’t experience trials and difficulties and pain and suffering, just like everyone else in the human race. But even in the midst of the cloud storms of life, we as Christians have a supernatural power source in God that should give us hope and a sense of calm and peace and trust and joy in God that can overcome event he darkest storm clouds. Martin Luther, the famous 16th century Protestant reformer, is reported to have said once, “If I knew the world was to end tomorrow, I would plant a tree today.” That’s the attitude for Christians –not gloom and doom and negativity and cynicism and pessimism, but hope and joy in the future, no matter what.
Obstacle #5: Superstition. Instead of a real and deep trust in God, many Christians are just Christian in name only. They have a religion of sentimentality. Sweet memories from childhood. Maybe they honor the religious customs of their parents or grandparents – Guadalupe, Ash Wednesday, Christmas, Easter – but their faith is an empty shell of externals. There is no depth, no maturity, no real and authentic desire to follow God. Faith is just an ornament that adorns life when it is convenient.
Obstacle #6: Doubt. This obstacle faces all of us, I believe. We all have questions at times and shake our fists at God with our questions and doubts. But doubt and questioning – which can be signs of spiritual health and vitality – also can become excuses for not following God and not really seeking to discover answers. Sometimes I see this especially with our kids. They go to school, encounter an atheistic or cynical teacher or professor who convinces them that God is a myth and that religion is a pack of lies – but instead of really digging and searching for answers, they simply accept what the teacher or professor says, without critically looking at their faith. They become non-believers based on the word of another person, instead of really seeking after the truth themselves.
What is the answer to these obstacles? St. Paul, in our second reading today from the letter to the Romans, tells us: “The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So don't live in darkness. Get rid of your evil deeds. Shed them like dirty clothes. Clothe yourselves with the armor of right living, as those who live in the light.” -- Romans 13:12 (NLT)
Let’s look at seven pieces of armor that can help us spiritually, especially in this season of spiritual renewal called Advent. We’ve just ended one church year and are starting another, so this is a perfect time to look back and evaluate – which obstacles has Satan used most effectively on me? Is it fear? Laziness and apathy? Distraction? Negativity? Superstition? Doubt? And this is a perfect time for making spiritual “New Year’s Resolutions” – what armor do I need to put on?
First piece of armor, Prayer. Not just once in a while, but daily. We need to stay connected to God, the source of Life, the electricity that powers our life. That electrical connection, spiritually, is through prayer. One concrete suggestion to begin and kick off this new Church Year on a good foot spiritually: Read the Gospel of Matthew, or attend the upcoming play next Friday, when we will have a professional actor here who has memorized the entire gospel of Matthew and will perform it live here in the church. Why Matthew? Because that is the gospel we will be hearing for most Sundays of the next year.
Second piece of armor: Mass every week, and partake of the eucharist, Jesus’ body and blood. We need other Christians. We need a weekly spiritual lift. We need spiritual food to stay strong.
Third piece of armor: Confession. At least once a year. More often may be even better. God cannot use dirty dishes. We need the healing and the forgiveness and the new start in life, spiritually, that confession offers to us. Our Advent reconciliation service and confessions are coming up on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., here in the church and also at the same time outside at the Valley Missionary Program plaza. Priests from the area will be available.
Fourth piece of armor: Spiritual growth. God needs us to become mature Christians, not spiritual infants. The Christian faith is a marathon, not a sprint. We need to follow Jesus for the long term, not just for the moment or when we are experiencing a crisis. Fortitude, perseverance. How to grow? Start with the Mini-Retreats. The first, Mini-Retreat 101, is coming up next Sunday afternoon, 3 to 8 p.m. in the rooms behind the church.
Fifth piece of armor: Community. God never wants us to be orphans. Two are stronger than one. We need other spiritual companions in our life, just as a soldier needs his buddies to watch out for his back. One of the best ways to stay strong spiritually is to join a weekly bible study group or small faith community. Our church has many such groups. For example, mine meets on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and all are welcome!
Sixth piece of armor: Service, or Ministry. Get involved. Give back. Church is always more fun and interesting when we are not just spectators, but participants. I’ve especially seen how service can really transform the lives of our children. When they get involved in a ministry here at church – for example, helping with our children’s program on Sunday mornings – they get excited about their faith. One simple way to begin is to do something special as a family, like visiting someone who is elderly and homebound or in a nursing home or sick.
Seventh piece of armor: Generosity. This goes hand in hand with service, or ministry. When we are generous in giving of our time, talent and treasure, get is generous in returning an abundance of blessings to us. One suggestion: As a family, buy a Christmas gift for a needy child.
God wants all of us to do our part. I remember a story of a man who would walk up and down the beach, throwing star fish back into the ocean that had been washed up on the shore. A friend laughed at him. “What difference can you really make?” the friend asked, pointing out that the beach was filled with thousands of star fish. “You cannot possibly rescue them all.” But the man just reached down, threw one more star fish back into the sea, and said, “I made a difference for that one, didn’t I?”
Or there is the story of the little bird who was lying on his back, feet pointed up to the air. A friend asked what he was doing. “I heard that the end of the world was coming, that the sky was about to fall.” The friend just laughed. “What can you possibly do to stop the sky from falling, with your spindly legs?” But the little bird replied simply, “At least I am doing my part!”
God just asks us to do our part.
Let’s read the last two verses on your handout:
From Luke 21:19 (NAB) -- “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”
We need to just stick with it, for the long haul – finish the race, run the marathon, not tire out and give up and quit the race early.
And from Paul’s Letter to the Romans, which is a bedrock verse for guiding our life spiritually: “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” -- Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)
This Advent, wake up! Be alert, ready, prepared, and full of life and joy. Offering our very lives as living sacrifices to God, not following the false obstacles of the world, but clothed in the full armor of God. Caffeinated Christianity, not wimpy or weak decaffeinated and powerless Christianity!