Advent - Scripture Soundings
Advent and the Christmas season are not, as some suppose, a bit of "make believe," when we pretend that we are waiting for the baby Jesus to be born all over again. No, Advent and Christmas are very serious moments of grace, the grace shared with Israel of being ready for the "day of the Lord," the grace of living the message of Christ now, the grace of being called to the fullness of the reign of God.
We begin a new liturgical year by "remembering." In the Hebrew understanding, to remember is to relive, to do again, to commit again to the reign of God. Every sacrament is just such a "remembering." Thus all the sacraments are celebrations of the Christ event here and now.
As we move through this Advent season, we are mindful that Jesus is living for us now, and all believers are sharing in his life. We believe that we will share it fully in God's reign at the end of time.
Matthew will guide us this year in a renewed exploration of what it means for us now to be Christians. The themes of hope, peace, mercy, justice, and fulfillment will weave themselves through all the readings. Matthew is alive to the theme of "coming," the continuing self-manifestation of God in the Messiah.
We are very much on the cutting edge of time between the two comings of Christ. Communally and personally we share in both the historical and the eschatological coming of God's reign in Jesus Christ, the "already" and the "not yet." Looking back we share the story of Israel, the word of promise, the hope of fulfillment. We actually participate in the expectation.
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Advent Scripture Soundings - Cycle A
First Sunday of Advent
He Comes
Second Sunday of Advent
Promise and Fulfillment
Third Sunday of Advent
Be Strong and Rejoice
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Who is Jesus?
Updated: October 23, 2010
