Homily: First Sunday of Advent (B)
Mark 13:33-37
3 December 2023
Fr. Ricky Montanez
In the recent months, I have been asked by a lot of fresh graduates that I pray over them as they are about to take their respective board exams. It makes me very happy when I see young people recognise the importance of God in their success. No matter how adept, skilled or intelligent we are, we need the grace of God to be successful in any of our endeavours. As they say, “One simply needs to do one’s part, and leave the rest to God.” How does one do “one’s part”? Simple. Preparation! Someone said that there are three (3) things to remember when preparing for the exam. First of all, study hard to be #1! Aim for the top. Don’t settle for just a passing mark. (Huwag makuntento sa pasang-awa.) Secondly, take care of yourself holistically. One needs to ensure that he/she is in the best of health to take the board exam. Above all, pray. “Pray not only to pass the exam but pray that God will sustain and strengthen you through your review and give you wisdom while taking the test.”
This Sunday, we begin the Season of Advent. Advent, which in Latin is “adventus” translates in English as “arrival” or “coming”. It is a season of preparation comprised of four (4) Sundays after the Feast of Christ the King and just before the 25th December, Christmas Day. The Church calls on all the faithful to prepare adequately to commemorate the anniversary of the coming of Christ. Just as we find ourselves preparing for the arrival of valued guests in our home, the church deems it necessary to establish a period of preparation among the faithful to properly dispose us to receive Jesus, the Son of God. For us Catholics, Advent is not only remembering and giving thanks for the first coming of Christ as the baby and son of Mary during the first Christmas, but it is also a remembrance of that which we still expect — His return in glory! Hence, we are invited to observe a period of intense preparation during Advent! Remember, there is still something more in store for us!
In the passage from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we are reminded that like the Chosen People, we must confess that we too are unworthy of God’s love and God’s pardon. We hear about a people in dire need of liberation from their captivity in Babylon. Realising the disastrous consequences of their infidelity, they have acknowledged their sinfulness and their need for a saviour to rescue them from their predicament. This explains the penitential aspect of this joyous Season of Advent. Let us admit that we have many shortcomings making us undeserving of His love for us. We do not deserve (“dasurv”) everything we have. Our life and everything we have, we have received because of God’s mercy. Since we have been blessed, let us do our best to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. St. Paul assures the Corinthian Christians in the Second Reading that they have all the gifts and talents they need to live faithfully in this world as they await the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Today’s gospel passage reminds us of the uncertainty that surrounds the time of the master’s return and the vigilance required of the servants as they wait. Until that special event arrives, they are to be conscientious in fulfilling their responsibilities. There should be no room for waiting idly for the owner’s return. Like soldiers standing guard, a follower of Christ must always be on watch and not be caught asleep or caught off guard. The soldier or guard who sleeps or is negligent in his work can easily be outsmarted by the intruder or one with evil intentions, can’t he? He always has to be alert then.
As we reflect on the beginning of Advent, let us ask ourselves if we are ready. “How would we fare if we were called from this world today?” I always ask this question myself whenever I preside over the funeral of a person who is younger than I. Would I get a badge of honour, or would I have passed the test of life? None of us know how and when we are to meet Jesus. Is there anyone us here who hopes to be alive at the Second Coming? Some of us will get to meet Him earlier — when we die. Those who are told the remaining days of their life are even luckier because they can plan ahead what needs to be prepared. They are in a better position than those who die suddenly in an accident. It is always better to be prepared. What else can we fix or correct in our lives? Will we be happy to meet God?
Brothers and sisters, as we begin this season of preparation, let us make the most of this time by keeping our eyes and hearts open and earnestly implore: “Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.” (Psalm 80:3) Let us remember that we shall not be unprepared if we have tried all our lives to be faithful to Christ and to our Christian faith.
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Sunday Gospel Reflections 