As we begin advent our Sunday Bible readings focus on Jesus’ words concerning end times.
Matthew reports Jesus saying, "the son of man is coming at the time you least expect” [Mt 24:37]
Jesus goes on to recall that time, reported in the old testament, of the great flood. An event that, for most living when it occurred, was an end to the world as they knew it. He contrasts most peoples' behavior with that of Noah. Noah was busy getting ready for the end of the world whereas most of the people were busy just living day to day ignoring God.
He goes on to say that it will be the same when he returns. Some will just living day to day and some will be ready for his return. "Stay awake, therefore! You cannot know the day your lord is coming." [Mt 24:42]
How do we do this? How can we be prepared for an event that we have no idea when it will occur?
We have all probably heard in sermons or confirmation class that Christians should live as though the end of the world is tomorrow. Or you might have personalized the attitude and say that you strive to live as though you are going to die tonight.
But how do you and I do that? At least Noah had a boat to get built.
Do I hear anything in Noah's story that sounds like my story?
Do you hear anything in Noah's story that sounds like your story?
Do you hear anything in Noah's story that sounds like your story?
- - Noah was given a message, “I will wipe out from the earth the human beings I have created." [Gen 6:7]
- Noah was given a task - "Make yourself an ark of gopherwood," [Gen 6:14]
- Noah was given a promise - “I will establish my covenant with you.” Your family will be the the new people of the earth. [Gen 6:18]
Have we been given a message from God?
Have we been given a task by our God?
Are we the holders of a promise from our God?
Are we the holders of a promise from our God?
Of course we have great news from our God (and not a bummer of a message like Noah, who had to build an ark). God wants us to be his sons and daughters! He became one of us, he taught us himself, he died for us, and he rose from the dead so that we would hear this great message.
Our task?- to live as sons and daughters of the one true god! Princes and Princesses of the king of the universe! No boat building for us, take us to the Palace. Get the chef started on a wonderful meal. I'd like my allowance now.
But wait a minute, the Palace of this King - Where is it?
- We are not there yet. But we are on the way. Our adoption calls you and I to a journey in a foreign land on our way to that Palace. For this journey we have been commissioned as Royal Diplomats. (Remember your baptism)
- The food for this journey is not the Palace spread, yet all the food we need was created by God and can be found in this place of our journey.
"Ask and it shall be given to you" [Mt7"1-7, John 16:24, Lk 11:9-13]
But, if we are on the way to the Palace, have access to the fruits of the earth and a daily allowance of grace from our God, what is our promise?
Noah's promise meant that he would live many years (595 according to genesis) and have a large family. God’s promise to you and I is that we will live forever and we will live that forever with a God who loved us enough to die for us.
- A trust fund of perfect love
- A banquet perfect unity
You might say that Noah had to earn his promise since he had to complete the ark if he was to survive to his new life after the flood.We, on the other hand cannot earn our promise. It is freely given by God. We are only required to accept and use the gifts God gives us here and now. In other words we are to live (that is journey) as befitting ones showered with gifts and destined for greatness.
Sadly you and I have been tempted to forget or even turn our back on his promise. As we enter advent let us consider how we can turn back to the God who loves us. Let us heed the song of Isaiah as we journey,
"Come, let us climb the Lord's mountain to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths. [Is 2:3]
. . . (c)ome, let us walk in the light of the lord!" [Is 2:5]
that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths. [Is 2:3]
. . . (c)ome, let us walk in the light of the lord!" [Is 2:5]
Or as Paul wrote to the Romans (and us):
"Let us then throw off The works of darkness
and put on the armor of light;
let us conduct ourselves properly;
not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in promiscuity and lust,
not in rivalry and jealousy.
But put on the lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the desires of the flesh."
and put on the armor of light;
let us conduct ourselves properly;
not in orgies and drunkenness,
not in promiscuity and lust,
not in rivalry and jealousy.
But put on the lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the desires of the flesh."
[Rom 13:11-14]
We have been given the sacraments to help us do this, turning back to the light. Confession to launder our spiritual robes so that we are properly prepared to fully join in the divine banquet of the Eucharist we have been given us for our journey.
Diplomats that are on mission in a foreign land remain in frequent contact with their home government using high security channels. Since I’ve used model of “Diplomat” to describe you and I on our journey home I recommend a high security channel to stay in touch with our divine government. That channel is Eucharistic Adoration! Stop by the chapel daily if you can, visit briefly when you are in town.
Let our advent find us returning to lives worthy of our message, our task and our promise so that when our God comes again at the end of time or for each of us, at our death We will be recognized as sons and daughters of the King Of The Universe and welcomed into the palace of his promise.
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