If only world leaders and merchants of war would heed Paul’s advice. Paul continues in our second reading (Romans 13:11-14): “Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy.”
On this first day of Advent let’s listen to Matthew (Matthew 24:37-44): “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
The “thieves” we anticipate are those wishing to steal our peace and sow discord by promoting division and tribalism through rumors and lies. They snuff out light and create darkness by instilling in us jealousy and fierce rivalry for goods and possessions. They create fear.
This first day of Advent as days keep getting shorter and darkness deepens let’s stay awake and not let our houses be broken into meaning letting others sink their hooks into us thereby keeping us in the darkness created by fear and hate.
At an hour we do expect, Jesus Christ will be born. At least we know the day when we celebrate Jesus’ birth and the days begin to lengthen. He is our Savior. Let’s remember when we truly follow and listen to him, plowshares and pruning hooks are made, and there is an advent of compassion and love. This is just one meaning of Advent, a time to be awake and anticipate the light of the one we call our Christ.
Deacon David Pierce
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